Dan Gilbert melted down via comic sans font and telephone interview after LeBron James announced he was leaving Cleveland and taking his talents to South Beach. Being pissed at the way James handled the decision is understandable. Being mad that he left is dumb. Cleveland should have been in “Just in case” mode as soon as LeBron said he was opting out. They weren’t and a surprised Gilbert wrote his $100,000 letter.
Gilbert’s reaction caught the attention of Jesse Jackson who likened the Cavs owner’s mentality to that of a slave owner. I caught up with Scoop Jackson and got his thoughts on Dan Gilbert’s letter and Jesse Jackson’s comments.
I’m with Scoop on this one but for a different reason.
His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave. This is an owner employee relationship — between business partners — and LeBron honored his contract.
Jesse said Gilbert’s “feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality.” That’s it. He didn’t say Gilbert runs the Cavs like a plantation or that LeBron’s been Gilbert’s house-boy for the last seven years. He’s saying in this instance Dan Gilbert acted like he had ownership over LeBron and took a tone with James that he wouldn’t have taken with a white player of the same stature. No doubt. But since it’s Jesse Jackson making the point the words get blown out of proportion. If Jesse had used jilted lover (as many have) instead of slave owner he’d be accused of calling Gilbert gay. Such is life for the Reverend.
A popular theme for those that disagree with Jesse is that Dan Gilbert paid LeBron James millions of dollars (and was ready to do it again) so the slave owner/racist mentality doesn’t work. I can kill that with three words: Donald T. Sterling. He’s such a bigot that the T in his name should be replaced by a burning cross. He doesn’t want blacks (or Latinos) living in his buildings but he loves them on the court for him.
Was Jesse Jackson headline chasing? Yes. Did he use language that made people uncomfortable? Of course. Those facts don’t make what Dan Gilbert said any less offensive. A simple “Stay Classy LeBron” would have been the perfect send-off. Instead, Dan let his emotions get the best of him and forfeited a lot of the sympathy LeBron had just gift wrapped for him.
No Comments
Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this article!
Receive the best bonus at sportsbook.com by using our Sportsbook promo code at sign up. You may also want to learn some extra sng poker strategy before playing online poker.
Looking to bet on the NFL this season? Get free expert NFL betting picks from week 1 to the Super Bowl and make this year a profitable one at the sportsbooks.
Click here to visit OnlineGamblingSites.net - find the best rated gambling sites with our unique rating categories we list only the best sports betting sites,online casinos, and poker websites with the best bonus offers.
Scoop Jackson on Dan Gilbert and Jesse Jackson
Dan Gilbert melted down via comic sans font and telephone interview after LeBron James announced he was leaving Cleveland and taking his talents to South Beach. Being pissed at the way James handled the decision is understandable. Being mad that he left is dumb. Cleveland should have been in “Just in case” mode as soon as LeBron said he was opting out. They weren’t and a surprised Gilbert wrote his $100,000 letter.
Gilbert’s reaction caught the attention of Jesse Jackson who likened the Cavs owner’s mentality to that of a slave owner. I caught up with Scoop Jackson and got his thoughts on Dan Gilbert’s letter and Jesse Jackson’s comments.
I’m with Scoop on this one but for a different reason.
Jesse said Gilbert’s “feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality.” That’s it. He didn’t say Gilbert runs the Cavs like a plantation or that LeBron’s been Gilbert’s house-boy for the last seven years. He’s saying in this instance Dan Gilbert acted like he had ownership over LeBron and took a tone with James that he wouldn’t have taken with a white player of the same stature. No doubt. But since it’s Jesse Jackson making the point the words get blown out of proportion. If Jesse had used jilted lover (as many have) instead of slave owner he’d be accused of calling Gilbert gay. Such is life for the Reverend.
A popular theme for those that disagree with Jesse is that Dan Gilbert paid LeBron James millions of dollars (and was ready to do it again) so the slave owner/racist mentality doesn’t work. I can kill that with three words: Donald T. Sterling. He’s such a bigot that the T in his name should be replaced by a burning cross. He doesn’t want blacks (or Latinos) living in his buildings but he loves them on the court for him.
Was Jesse Jackson headline chasing? Yes. Did he use language that made people uncomfortable? Of course. Those facts don’t make what Dan Gilbert said any less offensive. A simple “Stay Classy LeBron” would have been the perfect send-off. Instead, Dan let his emotions get the best of him and forfeited a lot of the sympathy LeBron had just gift wrapped for him.