Senator Josh Hawley, R-Missouri engaged with ESPN and the NBA over inquiries about the Basketball League’s support of the Chinese Communist Party’s agenda by refusing to equally support different points of view about the Government in China, specifically those among the people in Hong Kong.
“Today Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is sending a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver blasting the league’s apparent decision to strictly limit messages players can wear on their jerseys to a few pre-approved, social justice slogans while censoring support for law enforcement officers or the military and any criticism of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Senator Hawley writes that, as the NBA is now sanctioning political messages, they must stand up for American values and make clear where they stand on China’s human rights abuses,” Hawley’s office said.
According to a press release, Hawley wrote in the letter to Silver, ” “The truth is that your decisions about which messages to allow and which to censor – much like the censorship decisions of the CCP – are themselves statements about your association’s values. If I am right – if the NBA is more committed to promoting the CCP’s interests than to celebrating its home nation – your fans deserve to know that is your view.”
Hawley has been stirring up the pot over his concerns, and Friday got an “FU” from ESPN reporter, Adrian Wojnarowski, in response to Hawley’s press release.
Don’t criticize #China or express support for law enforcement to @espn. It makes them real mad @Outkick pic.twitter.com/WJDxrotUBD
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 10, 2020
Wojnarowski apologized for being “disrespectful”, but did not address any of the concerns Hawley’s or the people Hawley represents, nor did he touch upon the disastrous optics and terrible PR of players and owners supporting brutal and violent Communism.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 10, 2020
LeBron James, who posted a rebuke to supporters of Hong Kong liberty fighters in 2019, is one representative of the NBA who has been very vocal about his support of the Chinese Communist Party, which is greatly disturbing to many sports fans who prefer to keep politics out of the sport.
I'd like to ask for LeBron James, the same thing, and the Solomon or Spinx asking, why don't @ESPNNBA
– FreeHongkong
– I can't breatheNBA put it on~keep Sportsmanship! https://t.co/DwBMreT5oJ pic.twitter.com/R4vu9IEXqB
— unpopular authentic opinion (@ogoriDAK3000) July 11, 2020
Maybe it's not surprising that The King and The Emperor share similar views. It's just sad to think of how many basketball players are tortured in Xinjiang concentration camps or facing bullets in the frontline of Hong Kong. Authoritarianism is our common enemy.#LeBronJames pic.twitter.com/KPfmCjKvbU
— Nathan Law 羅冠聰 ? (@nathanlawkc) October 15, 2019
However, having the sports league tied together with Communists has not escaped the scrutiny of many fans.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong Now that Hunter Biden client's Communist China has now officially crushed Democracy and human freedom. *I'm sure that @KingJames, @NBA and @Nike will smear them as Racist, in the same way they smear all Americans. https://t.co/hJTiccjMvM
— ConserValidity (@ConserValidity) July 10, 2020
In the letter, Hawley wrote, “The league’s new policy suggests a newfound commitment to enhanced employee
expression. But that free expression appears to stop at the edge of your corporate sponsors’ sensibilities. And for woke capital today, profits from the Chinese market are more popular than patriotism.
The truth is that your decisions about which messages to allow and which to censor – much like the censorship decisions of the CCP – are themselves statements about your association’s values.”
The NBA has been pushing a leftist Social Justice message for some time, influencing common culture with Cultural Marxism.
In this article from 5 years ago, a player is shown introducing his anti-police statements to the game and influencing other players.
“Even with that criticism, Rose has inspired his peers to follow his lead. On Monday night, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Jarrett Jack, Deron Williams, Kevin Garnett and Alan Anderson all wore “I Can’t Breathe” shirts in solidarity with protesters across New York and the entire world, “Nets Daily wrote.
A little more than five years ago, our @busyxb wrote about sports figures speaking out on social justice, focusing the "I can't breathe" gear worn by NBA players. It's as relevant now as it ever was. https://t.co/Ra5MErt14f
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) July 7, 2020
We may just be beginning to see what Communism and Social Justice have in common and how the NBA and other American institutions have been using their resources to influence the media to indoctrinate America.
Kari is an ex-Community Organizer who writes about Cultural Marxism, grassroots activism, music, IndyCar racing and political campaigns. @Saorsa1776
