Recently LeBrom James has been very outspoken about his views on racism in the US. Of course, there's nothing wrong with him doing so. But, if we look at some broader data, it might give up more information about LeBron's goals and motives.
Let's start with LeBron's ties to China. Both the NBA and Nike have significant ties to China and yet both (plus LeBron) have stayed silent. Further LeBron has continued to make millions from his relationship with Nike, while ignoring their use of slave labor (or what's virtually the same as slave labor).
Recently two LA deputies were attacked in cold blood and shot in their vehicle. The LA county sherrif challenged Lebron to contribute a tiny fraction of his immense wealth toward the reward fund. LeBron's reaction has been silence.
I think that if we look at the data, we can see that a lot of the people who are up in arms about slavery in the US 150 years ago, say very little about slavery in 2020. They use their Apple products to post all sorts of content on social media, wait in line for the next $1,000 iPhone, yet ignore Apple's labor practices. Of course, many of these folx, wield their iPhones etc, while wearing products from Nike, another company with problematic labor practices.
Strangely, they don't see the contradiction they demonstrate.
Maybe looking beyond what people say, and looking at the data of their lives can be helpful.
Don't for a minute think that I'm exempting myself. All I can say is that as I move forward, I will be looking at which companies are the least tied in with slave labor and making my buying decisions accordingly.
8 comments:
First, let me say that checking out the politics of companies I patronize is something I've done extensively in the past on several issues. What I found was terribly sad for me, as it's pretty clear I could never purchase any product of any kind if I were to reject companies based on what or who they support. Too many major corporations are tied to something that hacks me off. I believe they are convinced that taking those positions will appeal to their consumer base. What they lack is direct feedback by consumers who disagree. I believe that those who support leftist causes are less likely to make direct contact...emails, phone calls, letters, etc....and as such conservatives doing so routinely will have an effect on corporate perception of what pleases and displeases those who make them profitable.
I am doing a similar thing with regard to sports teams, leagues and athletes. I hope to compose somewhat of a form letter that I can adjust to the specific target, or perhaps will simply suit whomever I choose should receive it, to address the specific flaws of their current social justice nonsense. I think most of them have no idea of the falsehoods they support and are simply reacting as leftists do, on a purely emotional, but thoughtless level. Certainly LeBron James is.
Kobe Bryant's widow recently attacked the LA county sheriff over his challenge to LeBron. It seems she has issues with the guy over apparent release of photos related to the crash that claimed the lives of her husband and child. While her complaints about that may have some validity, her emotional response to anything the guy does is equally careless on her part. I doubt the dude had any ill intent behind the release of those photos. Regardless, it has nothing to do with his challenge to LeBron.
Clearly, no company, person, candidate, political party, or church is going to match 100%, but I think it’s worth investigating rather than buying out of habit.
But even more so is the colossal hypocrisy of those who choose to ignore reality because they’re committed to their brands. As well as those who spend more time bitching about the past, while staying virtually silent on the present.
It seems clear that LeBron is engaging in a marketing exercise, not in any serious attempt to social action.
LeBron's just a moron, as proven by his "they're out to get us!" idiocy. He's just as likely to have done absolutely no personal investigation with regard to his endorsements, either.
Prior to the "gay" marriage travesty was imposed upon a non-consenting public, I looked at potential companies to replace those who had already publicized their support for perversion. I found that among those who didn't support it, too many supported other horrors, such as abortion. Again, it seems as if there's no one who isn't backing something abhorrent.
I dropped Dollar Shave Club after their CEO sent a note expressing their plans to send BLM $125K. I already know Gillette isn't worthy. I sent a note to DSC telling them why I dropped them. I think it's absolutely essential to tell these companies as directly as possible why they will no longer get my bucks.
I’m not sure LeBron is a moron, I think he’s figured out where his fans and corporate masters want him to be and he’s just going along. For him to double the reward fund represents virtually nothing to him, but he’s trapped between betraying the narrative and doing the right thing.
As I said, it’s likely that it’ll be difficult to completely avoid companies with problematic ties, but I’m thinking it’s probably worth some effort.
I also want to set an example to my kid who’s all worked up about slavery, but not enough to drop the cool brands.
I’ll probably keep my iPhone until it dies because I don’t want to drop a bunch of money on a new phone, but I’ll almost certainly go back to android if Apple doesn’t change things. Same with Nike.
Mine is an android, so I'm sorta covered there, though I haven't checked their politics at all. Haven't bought anything of Nike's in many years...not so sure I ever have, though not on purpose necessarily. Won't do so anytime soon, that's for sure.
I think LeBron is indeed a moron, but also a cash cow who won't be opposed by those who wish to milk him. Thus, he can take any stupid position that comes to his tiny mind and he'll be supported completely. In addition, I can't seem to find any indication that he continued his academic education after being drafted right out of high school. I've seen his high school GPA between 2.8 and 3.5 by the time he graduated. Another source said 3.2. Not horrible in any case, but it's only high school. His opinions are a better indication of his intelligence in my opinion...especially given his wealth, which gives him the ability to tap into pretty much any resource to get the facts before he flaps his gums. Anyone who can constantly pretend cops and white people are out to kill all black people can't be very bright.
I went iPhone years ago because iTunes was a huge pain on any non Apple device. Now that I'm not using iTunes, I have no real great reason to stick with my iPhone. I'll keep it as long as it works, than I'll do the research to see what phones are the least problematic from a slave labor perspective.
Unfortunately, I've worn Nike shoes for years because they've always fit me well. It might be a tiny bit inconvenient, but I'll find some options.
I'm not willing to speculate of LeBron's intelligence. He's clearly been successful outside of basketball. I tend to think that it's more of a marketing choice for him than anything, he's a multi millionaire who wants to maintain his "street cred" and who wants to stay relevant. He's clearly not looking at the data or really doing much besides a brief period of speaking out.
It's not hard for a highly paid athlete who has tons of fans to "do well" outside of his sport. All it takes is for handlers to bring him "slam dunk" endorsement deals and business opportunities, to which he will simply attach his name and bank deposit info. Aside from the fact that his roundball success is more due to his massive size than brains (I felt the same about Shaq), and he can just run over anyone to get to the hole...which he does so often charging calls should be called at least three or four times per game...I've never been a great fan. He doesn't have the whole package as Jordan did...or Bird did...or Magic did. He certainly doesn't have their killer instinct and automatic, give-me-the-ball-and-I'll-win-the-game ability. He's never been clutch and I don't think he is now. He's overhyped regardless of the fact that he's better than most. But pound-for-pound, he's barely above average in my opinion. What's more, most of his "record breaking" stats are the result of him having played since high school, while most others...like Jordan...went to college and as a result have four years less pro-time right off the bat. What would Jordan's numbers look like with four additional years?
I think it's clear I don't think much of him as a player (when both he and Dwayne Wade were available for acquisition, it was Wade I wanted. I still think Wade is the better player), I can't get behind him off the court with all this crap he continues to spew as if truth. Because of his wealth and thus ability to do real research on the issues about which he pretends to care, he's no better than a liar.
If you look at the number of athletes who’ve lost everything, I’m not sure it’s always easy. It’s definitely about hiring good people and trusting them, really like any business, and it helps when you’ve got income to invest.
I’ve never been an nba fan, but it is probably the sport with the best off court drama.
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