Reigning NBA Finals MVP and three-time champion LeBron James has never been afraid to speak up about the most-controversial societal issues facing the United States and the world.
That didn’t suddenly end with his most-recent success on the court.
James took to social media on Thursday to speak up about the senseless killing of an innocent black man in what was an otherwise routine traffic stop in Minnesota on Wednesday.
This article says it all man! Sickens me and I shed multiple tears about it all. https://t.co/Tsj9646QoT #ItNeedsToStop #BlackLivesMatter
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 8, 2016
Philando Castile, 32, was shot to death by a police officer in the St. Paul suburb of Falcon Heights after being pulled over for a busted taillight Wednesday evening.
His fiancé, Diamond Reynolds, caught the aftermath of the ordeal on video. We will link it here instead of adding the video to the article itself due to its graphic nature.
Castile had told the officer that he was armed and had a licence to carry. What happened next was absolutely shocking. As the man allegedly went for his driver’s license, he was shot and killed by the police officer.
This latest incident has sparked a widespread debate and large-scale outrage from the American public. It came just a day after another man was shot and killed by authorities in Louisiana.
James speaking out on the topic is a representation of the enormity of the situation at hand. It also tells us a story of a star that’s not afraid to speak his mind when terrible things are happening in his country.
As these senseless acts of violence continue to occur on America’s streets, it’s going to be important for those with a platform to put a face on the suffering this nation is dealing with right now.
For that, James should be commended.