What are we to truly think of Charles Barkley? Seriously. No, seriously. Or can he even be taken seriously?
Why people run to him about questions on race boggles the mind as it is. And he feeds into it, offering perspectives that lack depth, perspective and heart.
It was one thing last year when he said he supported the George Zimmerman not guilty verdict in the killing of Trayvon Martin. Now comes word that he is OK with the Ferguson grand jury’s decision to not indict officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown.
This stance by mouth-all-mighty Barkley is more egregious and disrespectful to Black life than the Martin verdict because he’s saying the case was not even worth being tried in court, that it was clear Wilson acted justly and that he should not have to face a jury of his peers.
For Barkley to take the position that Wilson should not have to defend himself on killing a kid under suspect circumstances just feels like he’s playing to the uncommon Black sentiment, for reasons beyond comprehension. That’s his choice, but it does not feel right or genuine.
Most who are outraged by the grand jury’s decision feel that way because, in essence, it sends the message that a cop can shoot and kill a Black at his leisure without having to show just cause. In a place were liberties are supposed to be equal, Black America seems under fire, literally, by the very people who have vowed to serve and protect it.
Barkley again sees it differently, which is his right. But it gives us a hint into his world that is so unlike that of everyday Black people in the United States. He’s a rich celebrity who seems to live in a bubble. A big one.
“The true story came out from the grand jury testimony,” Barkley said on 97.5 FM radio in Philadelphia. He said “key forensic evidence, and several Black witnesses that supported Officer Darren Wilson’s story” convinced him.
The true story? That sounds eerily like his comments following the Zimmerman trial.
What about the witnesses who contradicted Wilson’s outlandish version? What about fairness? No disregard to Wilson’s rights, but he pulled the trigger and neither he nor anyone should be able to walk away from it without going to trial.
Barkley, who works on television, said: “I can’t believe anything I hear on television anymore. And, that’s why I don’t like talking about race issues with the media anymore, because they (the media) love this stuff, and lead people to jump to conclusions. The media shouldn’t do that. They never do that when Black people kill each other.”
If he doesn’t want to talk about it, why is he talking about it? Because Barkley loves to talk, that’s why, and we love to listen because he’s subject to say anything at any time. But this isn’t about how bad the New York Knicks are. This is about the steady devaluing of Black life.
“[W]e have to be really careful with the cops,” the genius Barkley said, “because if it wasn’t for the cops we would be living in the Wild, Wild West in our neighborhoods. We can’t pick out certain incidentals that don’t go our way and act like the cops are all bad. . . Do you know how bad some of these neighborhoods would be if it wasn’t for the cops?”
He’s right about the need for police protection, but what does that have to do with Wilson shooting Brown? Seems Wilson was looking to protect himself over the citizenry, firing shots in an open space where people were nearby. And Wilson’s version of the events rang as true as a broken bell.
There were too many versions of what took place that were unclear, too many questions that needed to be examined thoroughly in court to let him just walk. It’s a bit disconcerting for a Black man (from Alabama, no less) who has a voice on TNT’s Inside the NBA to consistently take the position that Black life does not weigh as much as others.
Barkley, again, leaves us scratching our heads and wondering if we should take him seriously. . . or if he’s even serious.
Uncle Tom Barkley is a DUMBASS.
Some slaves never blamed their master, they preferred to blame the whip — such insanity doesn't deserve a sensible response.
This uncle tom, slave master daughter loving, house nigga, can go to hell with his slave master, he probably sucks his master off daily, prime example of dumb, deaf, blind, from me knowing GOD is about to destroy this people and their way of life, brothers and sisters who think on this level can die off also, and their blood line.
I only value the opinion of people with NBA titles and championship rings lol.
In his commentary, Bunn neglects to mention anything about Michael Brown attacking & provoking Officer Wilson and trying to take his gun. Of course that would ruin Bunn's extreme leftwing narrative of the evil white cop killing a totally innocent black boy.
This isn't a narrative about what happened that day. All the author is saying is that Wilson should have been brought to trial. Did you understand the article? Did you read the article? Can you comprehend what was written?
He just trying to stay relevant poor soul needs some Jesus in heart, I'm praying for you Charles!!!
@Randy Bunt, please remove your hood so you can see and hear more clearly… The ONLY person that said Brown attacked Ofc Wilson was Ofc Wilson. The other witnesses, including the other boy with Brown say he did not, nor did Brown attempt to take his gun. Did it occur to you that Wilson just might be …LYING???? I guess whites who shoot unarmed black boys in cold blood are incapable of lying, right? Only Wilson's version was taken into account. Hows that fair and impartial? You didn't pay attention didn't you? Also, Wilson provoked these boys by cursing and talking down to them, very non professional for a "peace" officer. At this moment this case is being reviewed. Everything Wilson did in this situation falls under undue process. He is a hateful man, with a badge and gun. He just happens to be white. Just like you sir. From your comments, maybe this intolerance thing runs in that white bloodline. You counterparts always want to justify killing black people. Why is that? You, Wilson & Barkley should be beer buddies, sitting around and talking about the good ol days when you could lynch a "N" and nobody thought twice about it. You definitely are a piece of…. work, aren't you Randy? Wow…
Disclosure : I am an Asian Indian and a person of color and have ben Here in the USA for over 15 years.. First came here in 1996 to pursue my higher education – Master's Electrical Engineering and have a professional, an engineer for over 15 years now with a Wife and 2 Girls – 6 and 10 respectively.
A few thoughts regrading the article… We all have opinions and that is great! It is my sincere hope you will discourse with me constructively… I am always trying to learn and do not profess.
to know everything and open to the possibility that I could be wrong.. That said,
1) offering perspectives that lack depth, perspective and heart.
– This fine as an opinion but not it anyways supports by the facts of the grand jury testimony. And what has depth, perspective and heart got to do with.
forensic evidence and grand jury testimony? Maybe we don't like the criminal justice and the grand jury system and it is fine to think that way and I can.
understand that… Maybe we can work to improve/change that… But you are not saying that the system worked differently because He was black,
are you? at worst we should agree that we interpret the facts differently or through a different lens… Fair?
2) More egregious and disrespectful to Black life.
– How so? Follows from from my earlier point… "But you are not saying that the system worked differently because He was black,
are you? at worst we should agree that we interpret the facts differently or through a different lens… Fair?"
3) "it sends the message that a cop can shoot and kill a Black at his leisure without having to show just cause. In a place were liberties are supposed to.
be equal, Black America seems under fire, literally, by the very people who have vowed to serve and protect it".
– Wow, you realy didn't say that, did you? That is has to be pure conjecture because it is not in anyway supported by tjhe facts of the case…
Notwithstanding the racial past and History,… Is it possible that this shows the bias that the balck community has and is also a big part of the problem?
– Where is the basic notion of innocent until proven guillty, even if you disagreed with the grand jury?
4) "But it gives us a hint into his world that is so unlike that of everyday Black people in the United States. He’s a rich celebrity who seems to live in a.
bubble."
– This is common refrain I get when I personaly enegage in a conversation of this nature… "You are not black and you don't have the black experience to.
have any right or sense to be able to comment? That is patronizing and insulting and what has that got to do with the facts of the case anyway?
5) "What about the witnesses who contradicted Wilson’s outlandish version?"
– McCulloch said some of the witnesses changed their stories, and that the physical evidence disproved some of their claims… So, again, it is O.K to.
disagree with the Grand Jury but we agree that it was His decision to make and He relied it seems very heavily on the Forensic evidence and how that.
corrborated or contradicted the testimonies, e.t.c.
6) "This is about the steady devaluing of Black life".
Again by Who? Opinions aside, Who is doing that and how does this incident prove or disprove that based on the facts of the case? Too much opinion.
and emotions and little to do with facts.. Lets not ignore the elephant in the room, the black culture and social system, that is a significant contributor to.
the devaluing. Lets us not scapegoat this case.
7) "It’s a bit disconcerting for a Black man (from Alabama, no less) who has a voice on TNT’s Inside the NBA to consistently take the position that Black.
life does not weigh as much as others".
– Woooow… 2 problems with this statement. 1) About Charles not valuing black life… 2) Did I read this right? Barkely effectively needs to lose His job or.
should shut up because He begs to differ?
– Doesn't seem like you are looking for solution are you? Just contiuing to stick with your opinions and perpetuating that and forcing people to toe the line.
rather than using this as an opportunity to engage intelligentely and Honestly and be a constructive part of the debate to find ways to improve the black.
community and distrust that continues to exist both of whites and criminal justice system… It is a disservice to the black community, I believe, by.
continuing to give voice to and perpetuate the mistrust and not holding them accountable, not expecting more from them, not leading them to better.
outcomes…
Sincerely
Chandra
"He relied it seems very heavily on the Forensic evidence and how that.
corrborated or contradicted the testimonies, e.t.c" …Sir you really do not have a clue do you?.
Dementia setting in on Charles..
All that coke, alcohol and strippers finally taking a toll.
Pardon me question … Not sure I get your statement/comment …
Are you saying that Brown shot and stab you, broke into your home and stole your car? No, he didn't. Because, according to you, a Black person was the culprit in all your run ins with a criminal, that makes it right to kill Brown because he, too, was Black? Are you some special kind of stupid? If we should use your analogy, then every white person should be dealt with according to your suggested Sharia law based on the atrocities White people committed on Black folks during slavery and thereafter, even up to this day. That is the truth that you are afraid to deal with.
Claudia Charles He's just "Special",if you know what I mean.Batty !
Charles need to stay in his lane, he's a basketball analyst who plays golf with Rush Limbaugh. there will always be Clarence Thomases, Adam Wests, Charles Barkleys and the slave played by Sam Jackson in Django. 😉
What is wrong with you people? Michael did not attack or try to take the pig/terrorists gun! The murderer lied!!! I know it is hard, but try and wrap your brain around the fact that cops/thugs are killers of black people! They are the spawn of the terrorist thugs kkk and uncle charlie is just a poor brain damaged darkie.
GHANTA YOU ARE ALL THE SAME. THEY DO NOT LIKE YOU EITHER. YOU ARE JUST LIKE THEM OR MAY BE EVEN WORSE. YOU TREAT BLACKS THE SAME OR EVEN WORSE IN YOUR COUNTRY AND YOU COME HERE AND SAY, 'I DO NOT SEE THE DIFFERENCE.' HYPICRITE'
YOU KNOW YOUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY. SHAME ON YOU FOR COMING ON THIS SITE TO PRETEND. WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE. IN YOUR COUNTRY YOU ALL THREAT THE DARKER OF YOUR PEERS WORSE THAN THE ;ROGUE COPS IN CRIMERICA' THREATS PEOPLE OF COLOUR. "VENGENCE BELONGS TO GOD AND HE SAIS, 'HE WILL REPAY'. I AM LEAVING YOU AND YOUR HATERS IN THE HANDS OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD OUR CREATOR.. HE IS A LOVING GOD, AND HE WILL CHANGE YOUR EVIL HEARTS. 'TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION,, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME'. HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS.' GOD IS CALLING US ALL TO PEPENTANCE. GOD HATES EVIL AND PREJUDICE.
YOU KNOW YOUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY. SHAME ON YOU FOR COMING ON THIS SITE TO PRETEND. WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE. IN YOUR COUNTRY YOU ALL THREAT THE DARKER OF YOUR PEERS WORSE THAN THE ;ROGUE COPS IN CRIMERICA' THREATS PEOPLE OF COLOUR. "VENGENCE BELONGS TO GOD AND HE SAIS, 'HE WILL REPAY'. I AM LEAVING YOU AND YOUR HATERS IN THE HANDS OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD OUR CREATOR.. HE IS A LOVING GOD, AND HE WILL CHANGE YOUR EVIL HEARTS. 'TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION,, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME'. HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS.' GOD IS CALLING US ALL TO PEPENTANCE. GOD HATES EVIL AND PREJUDICE.
HARLES, YOU ARE SYING ALL WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU, IF ITS TRUE, MY EMPATHIES. BUT YOU DONT TELL US HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU SHOT, STABBED, HOW MANY HOUSES HAVE YOU BROKEN INTO AND HOW MANY TIMES, I DO HOPE YOU YOURSELF STOP GOING TO PEOPLES WINDOW LATE AT NIGHT. YOU HYPOCRITE! YOU ARE WORSE THAN BROWN AND EVERY BLACKE MALE. GO AWAY AND STAY AWAY.
Claudia Charles Mr Charles you seem to have missed my point.There are evil people in the world, and the wages of sin are death. He was killed because he was high on weed,stole cigars for blunts, assaulted a store owner and resisted arrest. That is as stupid as it gets. Now I must make an admission. Twenty five years ago two white cops stopped me because I was driving a BMW with suburban tags, pulled their Glocks out and aimed at my head.Once they found out the car was mine i did not even get an apology. Do you think I acted like a fool ?No I went down to the station and filed a complaint. As my dad used to say when you have your head in the lion's mouth you don't punch him in the mouth. Or my mom's line " A cop has a badge and a gun, go on In,get a lawyer, as sue his you know what. Black people can not excuse criminal behavior not can we condone police malfeasance. Like it or not the fact do not bear out that the shooting was anything but self defense. Many a black man is in prison now for defending his life and shooting someone. To address another point that you made you do know since you read the posts on Black Star that one of the reasons that slavery ended was because an estimated 100,000,000 black people lost their lives as a result in the Arab Trans- Sahara slave trade to the Middle East and that it was the custom of African kings to kill their captives so much so that they began to run out of skulls to adorn their palaces.
I will let my wife know that you consider me special, she may not be happy though she is very jealous.
CaribbeanSun Sd Vnderflut You are in a way making my point even though you may not realize it … I and my family are US citizens and have been from more than 5 years. I chose to be come a US Citizen because it is in my view quite simply the best country to live in God's green earth Period!. I have more rights in this country than I have in my native country, I have more freedoms here than I have in my native country, I am more welcomed here as a legal immigrant, that my native country treats and welcomes immigrants … on and on … So, having lived in this country for over 15 years now when I hear constantly complaints about racism here in this country, while I acknowledge and understand the past history of racism and slavery in this country, It boggles my mind and I find it incredulous to constantly keep hearing people talk, believe, act as if it is the same today or over the past 15 years and longer and as if nothing changed!!!. Even the worst of what you imagine here as a minority is better than in India and in other places around India. I would not trade living here to anywhere else. I just wish we have a new generation of black leaders that can inspire and who you can look up to as role models and not the same old sad characters who keep trotting every time somethings goes wrong and try to milk the situation and take advantage of their own people, making them to believe that they are victims all the time and reinforcing that mentality each time and make sure to whip up the emotions based on a old and tired narrative and ensuring that an Honest dialogue never happens .. And I believe they do this to divert attention from their abject failure to make a positive impact and uplift and help build the black community inside out.
CaribbeanSun Sd Vnderflut My friend,–be niether disturbed nor suprised by the comments of Chandrasekhar Ghanta. No struggle is without its provocateurs. His words are meaningless–amounting to no more than what Shakespeare calls, "A tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." My bet is he would probably reiterate those same sentiments about the Amristar (jallianwala bagh) massacre to.
Just Remember…"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me" – Martin Niemoller
KO Ade ""No struggle is without its provocateurs. His words are meaningless–amounting to no more than what Shakespeare calls, "A tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."
I honestly fail to get your point and your thought process for that matter … you have done everything except address meaningfully and respectfully my viewpoints … We are not having a conversation/dialogue, Unfortunately, as I was hoping we could, and that is Sad.
"My bet is he would probably reiterate those same sentiments about the Amristar (jallianwala bagh) massacre to."
What is your point? Come on now, How does that mass massacre by the British relate to anyone of the several cases now and in the USA over the last 30 years or so … You are living and believing a narrative that is not true of America anymore … it is sad that you and too many of you hold on to that narrative that gets reinforced time and again not just by the likes of the Sharpton's of the World even the nations Top Cop, Holder, and the POTUS Himself, Obama. That deeps saddens me and infuriates me … The equivalence that you make with Jallianwallah Bagh betrays your emotions and anger and is illogical at best.
Jallianwalla Bagh is a mass massacre by the British that intensified/ignited the revolt and the movement that ultimately led to the freedom from the British … It is burnished in the hearts and minds of every "native" Asian Indian who learnt about it growing up in India and it causes me to swell with pride at the bravery and sacrifice of my fellow Indians and freedom fighters.
I am done "discussing/opining" further on this thread … I hope each time that I can have a conversation … and each time I am saddened to know how difficult that is and has made me realize that healing and change has to come from inside out, from within the black community led by courageous, brave and genuine black leaders and servants who you can trust and will tell you the truth and engage you in your communities and help change the narrative and the forge ahead a new reality first in your hearts and minds and then socially and economically you can truly strive for and acheive the American dream.
To the extent that this was a conversation, Thankyou for engaging me. May God Bless you and all and A Merry Christmas and Happy Newyear
Blessings
Chandra
Just because he eats with them and sleep with them, I guess he thinks he one of them, but at the end of the day he's still considered another black man to most of them….
Mr. Ghanta: Welcome to the US. Let me break it down for you (as if you can't figure it out for yourself, you sound pretty smart). "Them vs. us" is in full throttle on a page dedicated to not the race, but the religion of "blackness" where all must hold to an orthodoxy based on the assumption of some real but mostly perceived deck stacking in the US, pitting groups in diametric opposition to the other. In this world, there is not THE truth but "black truth" and "white truth." And we'll suppose "other truth" as you might represent. It not "us" as in 'all of us in the country'; no indeed, it "us" as a singular and insular society within a society. Some of this is understandable, given the piss poor way blacks have, historically, as a group, been treated in the US. There is the huge distrust as a result, and that will tend to infuse itself into discussions that should be about facts, especially when the facts are there, backed by real science, plenty of testimony, cameras, Objection to dispassionate discussion based on facts is the result. Charles Barkley is one of those stepping off the farm, so to speak, so he needs to be marginalized and put in his place. He is, according to this line of thinking, a "Tom" a sellout, wanna be white person, an idiot who should keep his stupid mouth shut and stick to basketball. The intellectual fecklessness of what passes for discourse on serious subjects should be understood for what it is. Sorry you had to (mine is next- but I don't give a you know what) endure insult for simply and respectfully speaking about logic and facts. Remember, it is not about THE truth.