Black Athletes Most Hated in America

Monday, September 20, 2010
LeBron James and black protectionism
By Vincent Thomas
Special to ESPN.com

Yes, there are undeniable racial components to the LeBron James hate of the past two months. But the sinister subset of America that finds it easier to loathe him because he's a black man is old, boring news. More interesting to me is the mood of the "black community."

Much of the country might dislike LeBron James, but black people don't.

You've probably heard about his plummeting Q rating (the industry standard for measuring an athlete's familiarity and appeal). According to The Q Scores Co., for non-blacks, LeBron's positive Q rating went from 18 percent in January to 10 percent in September and, more telling, his negative Q rating went from 24 percent to 44. Nearly half of the non-blacks in this country don't like the dude. Meanwhile, LeBron's positive Q rating among blacks went from 52 percent in January to 39 -- a noticeable drop -- but his negative Q rating barely budged, going from 14 percent to 15. Among African-Americans, says The Q Scores Co. executive vice president Henry Schafer, the shift in opinion was mostly to neutral.

The general, expressed sentiment of African-Americans has been, "I may not have agreed with how LeBron carried the whole free-agency thing, but I'm not gonna hate the man." The more America shuns LeBron, the more Black America retreats to his corner. In fact, as America hates LeBron more and more, Black America's collective hug embraces LeBron tighter and tighter. It's called black protectionism.

Athletes have always been inspirational figures within the black community and -- as far back as Jack Johnson, Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson -- often have taken the public racial hit for the team. So, naturally, through the years, they've engendered an almost automatic protectionism response whenever America -- whether justifiably or not -- decides it wants to hate them.You saw it with Hank Aaron. You saw it with Barry Bonds. You saw it with Allen Iverson. You saw it with Michael Vick. You're seeing it now with LeBron James. There are plenty of black folks who want LeBron to drop 60 on the Cavs when he visits Cleveland and wouldn't mind the maligned Heat winning a championship.

A few days ago, I headed to the barbershop in Atlanta. Hashir Smith, a Cavs/LeBron fan and Loft 109's owner, smiled, gave me a pound and noted my extended absence. "Man," he said, "we ain't seen you since 'The Decision'!"

Ah, "The Decision." I strolled into the shop the Saturday after LeBron's announcement to get my hair cut and to gauge the reaction. Curiously, probably, to many Americans, but unsurprisingly to me, there was absolutely no anger to be found in the shop full of black men. Disappointment? Sure. LeBron fatigue? Of course. And in a barbershop full of guys from everywhere but Atlanta -- with Knicks fans, Lakers fans, Bulls fans, you name it -- there was maybe even some "hating."

Don't get it twisted, though. The modern, colloquial version of "hating" has more to do with jealousy than hate or rancor. Hashir is a Cavs fan. My barber, Steve, is a Knicks fan. They were hating, but you wouldn't find one seed of ill will. The most palpable reaction was intrigue. Why did LeBron choose Miami; what does that say about him as a player/man; and how are the Heat going to fare next season?

Meanwhile, the rest of the country had just left the blocks in the 100-yard dash to make LeBron one of the most vilified athletes in America. The good ol' "two Americas" syndrome, as it is wont to do, was rearing its butt-ugly, ever-present head -- again.

So, here we were about two months later and the angry mob was still after LeBron.

CNBC had released the report that LeBron was now the sixth most disliked athlete in America and, scrolling across the bottom of the flat screen tuned to ESPN, were quotes from Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, spitting his two cents on LeBron and "The Decision." "I don't even have a problem that he had the TV show," Cubes said. "But it turned out to be the largest public humiliation in the history of sports. He humiliated the organization; he humiliated the state of Ohio, the city of Cleveland. All of a sudden, he became a bad guy; he lost a billion dollars in brand equity, give or take a couple bucks here or there."

That's when one of the barbershop patrons bellowed, "Yo, all these dudes need to get off his [case]," inserting a more vulgar term for "case."

That's what we call "black protectionism."

Katheryn Russell-Brown coined the term in the immediate aftermath of the O.J. Simpson trial. She remembers watching the split-screen reactions of Simpson's not guilty verdict, seeing what she recalls as white-hot rage from white people and unbridled jubilation from black people. In her book, "Protecting Our Own: Race, Crime, and African Americans," she defines black protectionism as, "the response by large numbers of the black community to allegations that a famous black person has engaged in a criminal act or ethical violation. The response is protective in that it denies, excuses or minimizes the charges."

This is conditioned behavior. Black male history in this country began with the slave trade, lynchings, wrongful deaths and wrongful imprisonments. The experience has bred a skepticism. "Why do you hate this black man?" And it has bred a defense mechanism. "Leave this black man alone." There also remains a success gap in America, even as more African-Americans succeed. The ones who make it often get cub treatment from the "mama bear" of the community.

What makes LeBron even more ripe for protectionism is the fact that he hasn't been charged with a crime or accused of an ethical violation. Nah, he just angered a bunch of sports fans with a wack decision and an even wacker "Decision," and now half of America thinks he's either a punk or a jerk.

If that were merely it, if folks just said, "Eh, I don't really like the guy -- I think he's kind of a jerk," the black protectionism probably wouldn't be so strong. But there are yahoos in Cleveland burning his jersey, brewing smarmy beer called "Quitness," and putting up ingrate billboards. Frothy-mouthed Cavs owner Dan Gilbert made like Syndrome from "The Incredibles," sending out a maniac missive, stopping just short of calling down evil upon LeBron. Even NBA legends -- mostly black men, coincidentally -- got in on the action. Charles Barkley called LeBron's free agency choice a "punk move." It seems everybody and their mothers have weighed in to let LeBron know just how much they don't like him.

And for what? Why? Because "The Decision" was annoying and self-indulgent? I'm sorry, but Brett Favre was nowhere to be found on The Q Scores Co.'s top 10 most disliked list. And, dig this: America dislikes LeBron more than it dislikes Ben Roethlisberger. That's just not deserved. So, you know what? Enter the ride-or-die black community.

"The more LeBron is vilified," Russell-Brown said, "the more the community will respond. Protectionism comes in as a tempering."

A few weeks ago, airport-hopping while on vacation, I saw at least a half dozen Miami Heat, LeBron No. 6 jerseys -- all worn by black men. Given today's anti-LeBron climate, rocking his jersey is a fairly defiant act. It says, "Screw the rest of these folks, LeBron, I'm riding with you, homeboy." It might seem as if LeBron is on an island, right now, but something tells me he knows he's not alone.

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First, how can this author even compare him to Jack Johnson, Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson. Jack was denied the right to fight whites. Lebron is treated like a king and he hasn't even earned a title! Kobe gets less star treatment, but deserves more. Lebron is rich, White Miami Heat fans adore him...this author is looking for an excuse to hate on white fans.

Excuse them for turning their backs on a player who turned his back on them.

 

All Hail King James!

jk

black protectionism is palpable...look at Obama... I know some blacks who swear by the man, solely because he's 'black.' they're not even concerned about his policies, or qualifications...they just love him because of his color. The man could be driving this country into an abyss and they would still follow him blindly, on some dummy shit.

I'm down with sticking together when one of us is done wrong..but just to be sticking together even when we know people are fucking up......that's questionable..


as if Bron'Bron even gives a shit about anyone in black america

 

Your quote made me think of this that happened the other day...



Town Hall Exchange Sparks Big Buzz
by Mike Krumboltz


President Obama held a town hall meeting dedicated to economic issues on Monday. The event played a part in Obama’s high-profile push to rally support ahead of November’s high-stakes election midterms. However, it was a frustrated supporter of the president who captured the Web's attention after remarking that she's "exhausted" of defending the man she voted for.

...The New York Times wrote that the "extraordinarily personal tone" of the meeting "reflects the erosion of support for Mr. Obama among the constituencies that propelled him into office two years ago."

The woman, who identified herself as a veteran and middle-class CFO, did not give her name and prefaced her question with respect, saying,


"I'm deeply honored to be in this forum and so grateful for CNBC for making the forum available so you can speak to American citizens just like myself.

Quite frankly, I'm exhausted. I'm exhausted of defending you, defending your administration, defending the mantle of change that I voted for, and deeply disappointed with where we are right now. I have been told that I voted for a man who said he was going to change things in a meaningful way for the middle class. I'm one of those people. And I'm waiting, sir. I'm waiting. I -- I don't feel it yet ... Is this my new reality?"



See the exchange...

Video:

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/94017?fp=1

 

I have white friends that voted for him and some are getting worn out of defending him also but, they will not support the Tea Party nor vote Republican again anytime soon. So for him I think it is all about election turn out if the people who voted for him show up to vote again he will win in 2012, if not he will lose, because he is not gaining new support from any demographic.

Having said that it is true that some blacks support Pres. Obama just because he is black. However, I once belonged to a faith that essentially said that you can vote for anyone as long as they are Republican. And so it cuts both ways. It is simply the first time blacks had a legitimate option. And if you look around at the political landscape it will be a long time before it happens again.

 

to add what people also dont know is that Blacks are more critical of black politicians. when the president announced he was running ...the black laughed their asses off. also even up until hillary lost the black vote was divided pretty much evenly. so loyalty because he was black is pretty much a myth.


Re: the town hall meeting...he looked like he was relieved when he saw a BW walk up to the mike. at the middle point he looked like was going to piss on himself. when he asked the credit card question and got the response he had a look on his face like got damn it !!!. WTF !!!! give me somebody who would be my friend. anybody anybody here is my friend

 

I recommend the book Forty Million Dollar Slaves for folks like yourself.

 

I read the first page and I lost interest because he was talking some bullshit about him and his father doing somethings together. I guess I should give it a second chance. Im a microwave baby....get to the fucking point bitch.

 

lmao

the fucking point is they're better off being 40 million dollar slaves, because we're all slaves as long as we HAVE to grind for our paychecks.

at least they get the million dollar mansion w/ garage full of Maybachs

 

Let me give you my opinion on "King" James. I think he completely ruined NBA with that bitch ass move he made. I no longer respect Lebron as a man or as an athlete.

 

He ruined the NBA? How?

I'm curious, do you mean the way he left Cleveland or his overall move to Miami?

BTW, I'm not a LeBron fan, I was just wondering....

 

I'm sure Mr James isn't losing sleep because you....of all people....no longer respect him.

 

He told you already - he ruined it with that bitch ass move he made.

Please don't ask me what that means.

All I can assess from reading this right this minute is that NBA is ruined because of that move and so I'm done done watching it. Unless...

 

Uhh, thanx...

A lot of people didn't like the WAY he left.....

 

I was kidding by the way. I personally would have liked him to stay in Cleveland and have everyone else come to him as opposed to what he did. At the same time I really don't care what he does. I think I just said something contradictory. But, who am I to tell him what he should or should not do. Having said that, I am definitely not gonna stop watching NBA nor do I think his move ruined NBA.

Go Celtics. But most of all, go Arsenal!

 

Nah, I feel you....

 

I really didn't if he stayed in Cleveland. What pissed me off is that went to play with D Wade. Both of these dudes are top 5 players. They suppose to be competing against each other, not playing on the same team. He fucked up the Eastern Conference with that move.

 

I don't give a fuck about Lebron or what he does or doesn't care about. Why don't give off of Lebron dick.

 

Yeah....lets get off Lebrons and hop on D Wade's.....The Heat is gonna be in Kansas City, MO this weekend (no idea why since we have ZERO NBA teams), but uuuhhh you can bet your asses I'll be jumpin on the heat bandwagon. I already ordered my jersey :smt054:smt060rayer:

 

They not going to win no championship together baby. You might as well save your money and come over my house. I'll give you something hot ride.

 

lmao.....as long as i'm not coming over to a house decorated in bullshit Laker's memorabilia then I might be down! :smt079