LeBron points out disparity in media between Jones and Irving

LeBron James wonders why there is such a big difference in the amount of media coverage given to a 1957 photo of Jerry Jones and the recent Kyrie Irving controversy.
An Associated Press photographer captured a photo of Jones standing among a group of white students at North Little Rock High School in Arkansas on Sept. 9, 1957. Six Black students who were attempting to desegregate the school were blocked by the group, and moments after the image was taken, the students were shoved down a flight of stairs, according to news reports.
A month ago, the Washington Post published a story about Jerry Jones’ legacy as the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. The article mentioned how the team has never had a Black head coach, and the photo was included with the story.
Although James has been a fan of the Cowboys for years, he found it interesting that he wasn’t asked about the Jones photo.
“When I watched Kyrie talk, he said ‘I know who I am, but I want to keep the same energy when we’re talking about my people and the things they’ve been through.’ The Jerry Jones photo is one of those moments that our people, Black people, have been through in America,” James said after the Los Angeles Lakers’ game on Wednesday night. ”
“As a black man and black athlete, I feel like I’m under a lot of scrutiny and that people are quick to judge me when I do something wrong.” It’s on the bottom shelf. It’s a question that’s asked every day.
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“But it seems to me that the whole Jerry Jones situation, the photo, is a mistake that we all make.” It seems like what happened has just been buried under, like, ‘Oh, it happened.’ I was just kind of disappointed that I haven’t received that question from you guys.”
Irving was suspended for an eventual eight games by the Brooklyn Nets earlier this season after the guard — a former teammate of James’ with the Cleveland Cavaliers — tweeted a link to a film containing antisemitic material.
James made it clear that he thought Irving made a significant mistake when reporters asked him about it last month.
“This world has no place for it,” said James in November. ”
I believe that Kyrie’s actions caused harm to many people and that nobody can benefit from that. None of us are perfect, we as humans. I hope he understands how harmful his actions were to many people.
“I was just a curious kid,” Jones told reporters last week of his 14-year-old self at the school entrance.
“I was a curious kid,” said Jones, “that was gosh, 65 years ago.” ”
I didn’t realize at the time how significant the event was. I’m glad we’re a long way from that.