Charles Barkley Blames ‘Unintelligent' Black People For Lack Of Success
October 27, 2014 - 4:24 pm by Iyana Robertson TWITTER
Charles Barkley took a controversial stand on race this weekend in response to reports that Seattle Seahawks players believe quarterback Russell Wilson is not “black enough.” In an interview with a Philadelphia radio station, the NBA Hall of Famer pointed to blacks as the reason for lack of success in their own communities. “Well unfortunately, as I tell my white friends, we as black people, we’re never going to be successful, not because of you white people, because of other black people,” he said. Stating that young black children are picked on for being intelligent and how blacks in general are ridiculed for being successful, Barkley accused blacks of likening intelligence to “acting white.” “Young black kids, when they do well in school, the loser kids tell them ‘Oh, you’re acting white.’ The kids who speak intelligently, they tell them ‘You’re acting white,’” Barkley said. Calling the phenomena a “dirty dark secret” among blacks, Barkley also stated that black athletes go broke because they try to appease their naysayers. He also disputed the glorification of the “thug” persona, calling it a result of brainwashing. “And for some reason, we are brainwashed to think if you’re not a thug, or an idiot, you’re not black enough,” he said. “If you go to school, make good grades, speak intelligent, and don’t break the law, you’re not a good black person.” And, as usual, responses ranged on Twitter:
@_CharlesBarkley your comments on blacks brainwashed is so accurate. Having my own business, a lot of time my worst enemies are my own ppl.
— Brian Chandler (@blchandler1981) October 27, 2014
So "unintelligent blacks" keep the black man down? What does Honey Boo Boo for whites, #CharlesBarkley?
— Torchy Brown (@MinoWarrior) October 27, 2014
I'm surprised #CharlesBarkley and @donlemon aren't best friends. Both of them love to debase Black people to their White friends.
— J.L.Davenport (@Floeme) October 27, 2014
Listen to Charles Barkley’s take on being “black enough” above.
