Charles Barkley isn’t pleased with a recent North Carolina law that discriminates against the LGBT community. He’s so upset about the law, in fact, that he’s urging the NBA to move its 2017 All-Star Game, which is set to be played in Charlotte at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Speaking about this sensitive subject in an interview with CNN, Barkley revealed his disdain for any type of discrimination and passionately pleaded his case.
“As a black person, I’m against any form of discrimination, against whites, Hispanics, gays, lesbians, however you want to phrase it,” Barkley said. “It’s my job, with the position of power that I’m in and being able to be on television, I’m supposed to stand up for the people who can’t stand up for themselves. So I think the NBA should move the All-Star Game from Charlotte.”
Specifically, the law, which kicked into effect on April 1, blocks “local governments from passing anti-discrimination rules to grant protections to gay and transgender people,” per NPR.org.
The NBA released a statement (h/t Deadspin) after the law was passed in which it indicated the fate of next year’s All-Star Game is potentially in flux.
“The NBA is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all who attend our games and events. We are deeply concerned that this discriminatory law runs counter to our guiding principles of equality and mutual respect and do not yet know what impact it will have on our ability to successfully host the 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte.”
For all Barkley’s antics on television, for all his off-camera shenanigans, this is a man who never has shied away from taking a stand when he feels strongly about something.
And, given his heritage, he’s the perfect spokesman to take point on this topic.
Hopefully in the days to come more high-profile men of power in the media will follow Barkley’s lead.
America is supposed to be the land of the free and the home of the brave. Laws that make people of any sector less than others have got to be called out and struck down.
And until they do, more people need to take a stand against them.