Because Charles Barkley deigned to actually state some truth and weigh in on the Ferguson riots. Please listen below.
From the ChristianScienceMonitor.com:
Former NBA star Charles Barkley recently called Ferguson looters “scumbags,” praised police officers who work in black neighborhoods, and said he supports the decision made by the grand jury not to indict officer Darren Wilson in the Michael Brown shooting.
During an interview on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia on Tuesday, the day after the Ferguson decision was announced, host Mike Missanelli asked Barkley about it and why “black America” doesn’t trust the ruling.
Charles Barkley, for the uninitiated, has always spoken his mind.
“The true story came out from the grand jury testimony,” Barkley said, adding that he was made aware of “key forensic evidence, and several black witnesses that supported Officer Darren Wilson’s story…” He continued, “I can’t believe anything I hear on television anymore. And, that’s why I don’t like talking about race issues with the media anymore, because they (the media) love this stuff, and lead people to jump to conclusions. The media shouldn’t do that. They never do that when black people kill each other. ”
Wait; Barkley speaks even more plainly:
He also called those who rioted after the decision was announced “scumbags,” and said “There is no excuse for people to be out there burning down people’s businesses, burning down police cars.”
But here’s where a radical paradigm shift comes into play, and why Barkley is perceived as a traitor to his race:
And in a marked departure from other prominent black leaders who have questioned tactics used by officers and, in some cases, accused officers of racial profiling and outright racism, Barkley supported police officers, especially those who work in black neighborhoods.
“[W]e have to be really careful with the cops, because if it wasn’t for the cops we would be living in the Wild, Wild West in our neighborhoods,” he said. “We can’t pick out certain incidentals that don’t go our way and act like the cops are all bad…. Do you know how bad some of these neighborhoods would be if it wasn’t for the cops?”
As a matter of fact, yes, Charles, I do know how bad “some of those neighborhoods would be” if it weren’t for a law enforcement presence. I am a cop.
Certain blacks — and some GOWPs — hate Barkley because he is in a position to actually state the truth. He has money, he answers to no one. He can’t be hurt. And with such independence comes an amazing freedom. Which Barkley utilizes.
Good for him.
BZ