After Cleveland Cavaliers’ star LeBron James had his Los Angeles house vandalized and spray-painted with the n-word Wednesday, the sports media world had plenty of takes on the subject Thursday. One of the hottest came from FS1’s Jason Whitlock, who argued that racism shouldn’t concern James because he isn’t poor, and that spawned a reaction from Green Bay Packers’ tight end Martellus Bennett. Here’s Whitlock’s take
That provoked plenty of backlash, including from Bennett. Here’s the Twitter rant Bennett went on over this:
To say that it's not someone's fight because they're rich is just ridiculous. Racism doesn't care how much money you make.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
You don't become out of racisms reach because you've cashed a few checks. Racism don't give a shit you still a nigga in that benz.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
You still a nigga in that mansion in racisms eyes.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
For dude to sit on national television and basically say that Oprah himself and Lebron are a different black from everyone else is ludicrous
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
A for any black american thinking that the world will view them differently because they have a little money, y'all tripping.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
Racism is a living organism. A parasite. That continues to find new hosts everyday.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
Dude goes to his "4th floor apt" and doesn't give a fuck about the youth in the communities that are like the ones he came from.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
That's the issue. Dude like he's good He made it. Fuck everybody else. I'm not like them they're beneath me. I got money. GTFOH
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
Jason Whitlock you just a nigga on ESPN. Don't forget that. ✊?✊?
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
Sorry for the rant. That shit stupid. You ain't special because you got money. Let's rebuild our communities not talk down on em. Spectator
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
The best part in there is Bennett apparently not being aware that Whitlock is with Fox rather than ESPN these days. That goes to show just how much viewership FS1 has. Whitlock then tried to defend his position, and Bennett wasn’t having it:
You clearly missed my point, Tellus. https://t.co/uqsHiOkboE
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) June 1, 2017
Naw I heard you loud a clear. You had a chance to be the voice of the voiceless and that's the shit you chose to say? https://t.co/FbTiUJjVtP
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
You had a chance to spread encouragement and TRUTH on hate and injustices in America and that's the shit you chose to say? https://t.co/FbTiUJjVtP
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
You had a chance to spark change but you tried to put out the flames spitting that shit out. https://t.co/FbTiUJjVtP
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
I heard you bro. Your black skin is different from the poor peoples black skin. But not mine, I still have that poor black skin bruh. https://t.co/FbTiUJjVtP
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 1, 2017
Bennett then finished with some further general thoughts, and a compelling conclusion:
Too many in position to promote change side step the opportunity. If those on top don't lift others up, they need move their ass away from
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 2, 2017
The edge. They're just standing there stepping on the hands of others trying to pull themselves up. Boxing out those trying to lend a hand
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 2, 2017
??✋?.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 2, 2017
And don't ever call me Tellus again that's what my friends with the poor black skin call me. And that ain't you!! https://t.co/FbTiUJjVtP
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 2, 2017
That is all. Who wants tacos? I'm starving.
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 2, 2017
If only the world’s differences could be resolved with tacos. Whitlock then tried to come at Bennett again, and was shot down:
Spray-painted slurs is the safe, shallow end of the pool. Go ahead and splash around there. Right depth for you. https://t.co/Q3NeJzyHuh
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) June 2, 2017
I don't splash believe it or not I can actually swim. https://t.co/sayPZ8Rqtc
— Martellus Bennett (@MartysaurusRex) June 2, 2017
In any case, Bennett’s points here have a lot of merit, and Whitlock’s comments about James seem extremely callous at the very least. It’s not surprising that they provoked strong reactions (which is a big part of the goal for Whitlock and Fox), but it’s interesting that some of that reaction came from active pro athletes like Bennett. And Bennett proved himself much more deserving of a national platform than Whitlock in this exchange.
