Lebron James has been outspoken on numerous social issues in the past. From the Black Lives Matter movement to his “More Than a Vote” voter education campaign, the NBA legend has constantly ignored those critics who think athletes like him should just, “shut up and dribble.”
Which is why so many people are perplexed by his decision to not share publicly if he plans to get the COVID-19 vaccine. James caused a stir on Sunday before the NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta with his brief answer to a reporter’s question about whether he planned to get the vaccine as soon as it became available to league players.
“That’s a conversation that my family and I will have…Pretty much keep that to a private thing.”
As you can imagine, that response sparked heavy debate that extended beyond the usual sports-radio sphere debating James’ ability on the basketball court. Even the White House weighed in. A presidential adviser says the hoops superstar missed an opportunity to help the Black community overcome skepticism about the vaccine.
According to the CDC, just 7% of people who have received the vaccine have been Black. This, despite the fact that census data shows that an estimated 13.4% of the U.S. population are Black. Part of the hesitancy over getting the vaccine comes from decades of mistrust due to past medical experimentation, such as the infamous Tuskogee syphilis experiments of the 1930s, and general inequitable distribution of medicine among the African-American community.
Lebron’s non-stance has sparked divisive reaction on social media.
In the NBA itself, there is great debate over the vaccine.
Talking to Yahoo! Sports, 76ers coach Doc Rivers said he would take the vaccine:
“I’m a Black man that needs to say that because I think it’s important. We have a history with vaccines that aren’t very positive in this country.”
