You played yourself




You played yourself


“Your deliberate acts of foolishness invite an open dialogue about free speech.” Dr. BLR

 

Over the years, I have had a platform to express my displeasure with the behavior of many individuals I see on television, social media, and the Internet. I complain to some of my students most of the time, but I’m usually dismissed as a hater, and I’m okay with that. However, something I watched recently made me want to write this essay.

I must share a little backstory. I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. Some might call it the hood, but I’ve always called it home. Many Newark residents have gone on to do amazing things and represent us: Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah, Michael B. Jordan, to name a few. I will focus on Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal. Growing up, I didn’t know anything about him, even though I went to school with a few of his cousins. I understand he moved away at a young age because his father was in the military. I didn’t learn about him until he signed with the NBA’s Orlando Magic. Standing 7’2”, he was a man among boys, and his basketball prowess allowed him to dominate. He played with Orlando for several years before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he teamed up with the late Kobe Bryant. The rest is history.

During his playing days, I knew him only as an athlete because he never shared his personal views, especially on matters concerning the Black community. Nonetheless, I was proud of his many basketball accomplishments and of his Newark roots. Once he retired, I began to see more of his pseudo-philanthropy. He owns a movie theater not too far from my home and, along with other prominent Newarkers, has invested in property to spark revitalization in the city. 

His outgoing personality and likability caught the attention of many companies eager to have him promote their products. I can’t hate on anyone trying to feed their family. While shopping at the grocery store, I’d see his face on cereal boxes. I also saw a life-sized cardboard cutout of him in Staples stores. His rap albums and dancing antics on television only cemented his marketability. Again, I had no problem with it.

Shaq went on to earn a doctoral degree and became deeply involved with the law enforcement community. He was an effective spokesperson because of his size and the respect he earned in many communities. Moreover, with the advent of social media, he posted numerous videos of himself buying things for unsuspecting people. While I think it's self-serving, the recipients of his gifts seemed happy, so who am I to complain? 

Then came the infamous FOX News interview, and the optics soured my perception; from then on, I loathed everything he stood for. During the interview, Shaq questioned the motives behind San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem to shed light on police brutality within minority communities. As I listened to his mumbling, I thought, “Wait! I’ve never heard or seen him take a position on issues pertaining to the Black community.” Instead, he always said his father taught him to respect law enforcement. Even if that were true, his presence on a right-wing news outlet said it all. At that very moment, I lost all respect for him. I harkened back to a quote by Malcolm X: “When we see a Black man who is constantly being praised by Americans, begin to suspect him. When we see a Black man get honors and all sorts of decorations and the United States flatters him with fine words and phrases, immediately suspect that person. Because our experience has taught us that the Americans do not exalt any Black man that is really working for the benefit of the Black man.” That's why it made sense that many sponsors wanted him as the frontman. Corporate America has always sought out individuals who are liked but won’t protest. These individuals are forced on minority communities as unelected leaders and the voice of reason. I won’t call out anyone else because this venom is made just for Shaq.

He recently received an honorary badge from FBI Director Kash Patel. I graduated from the 214th Session of the FBI National Academy, which is for law enforcement personnel only. I take offense at the staged event. This was a PR stunt, similar to when President Donald Trump received an honorary badge from the New Jersey State Police. Director Patel has been widely criticized for incompetence, covering up Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, and shielding Epstein’s association with President Trump’s alleged involvement in sexually assaulting underage girls. Due to his towering stature, Shaq looked out of place for several reasons. He could’ve declined and saved a modicum of self-respect, but that probably would’ve hurt his brand and made those in power view him more cautiously. 

When I logged onto Facebook this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see and read that many Black content creators called out Shaq for his “Shacoonery” and dismissed him as someone who should never be trusted again. To add insult to injury, Shaq responded to a few of his naysayers by commenting on their living arrangements and net worth. What happened to de-escalation? He is a multi-millionaire in his 50s, but his actions were bullying and beyond immature. I'm glad others validated my disdain for him, especially those who may have been blind to his strategic manipulation of how they saw him. I am disgusted by his actions over the past few years because I knew they were calculated. Unfortunately, many will give him a pass because they have been conditioned to view his altruism and philanthropy as good. I am not one of them. I've placed him in the same room as “corporate-approved” Oprah Winfrey, Gail King, Steve Harvey, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Stephen A. Smith, and Kevin Hart. While they are all influential, Bob Marley summed it up best when he said, “Some people are so poor, all they see is money.” 

When I see Shaq on television or hear his voice promoting products I’d never buy, I feel an uneasy knot in my stomach.  I don’t own the media, so the only thing I can control is turning it off, which I do without hesitation. 

While my critique may be harsh, I will throw him a life preserver to save him from this issue and bring him back to the Black community. I have only one question I’d like him to answer: “What is your position on the killing of children in Palestine?” Any response will show whether he places humanity over profit. 




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