LeBron James made a show-stopping debut in the Los Angeles Lakers' first inter-squad scrimmage at Disney World, scoring 12 points in just 15 minutes in the Lakers' 108-104 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Following the game, the Lakers superstar took the time to explain why Black Lives Matter is not a “movement” but a “lifestyle” for him.
“A lot of people kind of use this analogy, talking about Black Lives Matter as a movement. It's not a movement,” James said after scoring 12 points in 15 minutes in the Lakers' 108-104 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. “When you're Black, it's not a movement. It's a lifestyle. We sit here and say it's a movement, and, OK, how long is this movement going to last? ‘Don't stop the movement.' No, this is a walk of life. When you wake up and you're Black, that is what it is. It shouldn't be a movement. It should be a lifestyle. This is who we are. …
“I don't like the word ‘movement' because, unfortunately, in America and in society, there ain't been no damn movement for us. There ain't been no movement.”
The Lakers forward has some pretty unique takes when it comes to social justice. Not long ago, he also chose not to wear a social justice message on the back of his jersey, claiming none of the options the league provided fit his intentions.
Black Lives Matter has been at the forefront of the bubble, as players have made use of their media availability to raise awareness about Breonna Taylor and others who have been victims of racism and social injustice. LeBron himself made a point to bring up Breonna Taylor again after Thursday's scrimmage, and the Lakers star also honored her on his new Nike shoe.
A movement is what people make it to be, and Black Lives Matter will only move as far as James and Company can push it during the remainder of the season.
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