Rolling with the Champion
Cari Champion, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant engage in a conversation regarding many different topics, specifically gender, race and class. Cari Champion emphasizes that society in general tends to think because Black (male) athletes have money it removes them from the typical experiences of Black men. James’ responds by highlighting that just because Black athletes may be wealthy, it does not counter them from being (socialized and racialized as) Black.
In general, a higher socioeconomic status is one of the many factors that can make someone privileged but only to a certain degree. In a society where race and gender are seen heavily as primary indicators of one’s identity, being a wealthy Black man can still experience what it means to be Black in America. James says he knows what it is like to be a Black man in America, specifically when someone spray painted the “N” word on the gate outside of his house. James points out many of the ideas we’ve discussed in class, mainly how people are often reduced to one or two aspects of their identity.
