To our Readers:
We at Ability Chicago reached out with our concerns of LeBron James of NBA team the Miami Heat of his use of the "R" word during a recent press conference.
I sent the below email to NBA Headquarters Office and Miami Heat Office; with the below response from "NBA Fan Relations" (no response from Miami Heat).
It is Appreciated that the NBA did respond, and as mentioned in there reply like many Sports, the NBA does support, as well as many professional athletes do offer there support, both financial as well as there time to people with disabilities, and social service organizations.
But, while Mr James did apologize for his comments, is that good enough, or sincere. I have to say NO. When Mr James called the reporter "RETARDED", it was a comment made to his team mate, as a private conversation. While there are much more hateful words, the "R" word describes People with Developmental Disabilities, it effects them, family members, and there friends.
There is no mention if Mr James will have any Disability Sensitivity Awareness in his near future, nor that the NBA making such a recommendation.
Mr James is a major sports star and personality, and there is some responsibility that should be associated with that.
We would like to hear from all Organizations and Individuals there thoughts, has the NBA, Miami Heat and Mr James done enough, or is there more that could be offered on there part, and what suggestions might you have to Offer.
Below is the history of this issue.
Sincerely;
Jim Watkins
Ability Chicago
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On May 9 2011 I sent NBA Headquarter Offices and Miami Heats Office the following Email:
MESSAGE:
I am Very Concerned of Miami Heats LeBron James saying that a reporters question is "retarded" under his breath on May 7 2011.
As a Person with a Disability, and as Director of Ability Chicago we fell that Mr James comment is unacceptable. As a public figure, many of the youth that watch and enjoy Mr James playing basketball, might take his comment as a way to refer to other people, It Is Not. I encourage NBA League Officials to go to "The Social Challenge" to have a understanding of the harm that the "R" word can cause - http://www.thesocialchallenge.org/
Sincerely,
James Watkins
Ability Chicago
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I recieved on May 12 2011, a response from NBA Fan Relations:
Dear James:
Thank you for contacting the National Basketball Association with your concerns regarding LeBron James’s use of the word “retarded” at the press conference following Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Following this incident, we communicated both our disappointment and yours to LeBron.
At the press conference following Game 4 of the Heat’s series with the Boston Celtics, LeBron apologized for his remarks.
Through our longstanding partnership with the Special Olympics, the NBA has embraced the organization’s Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, which is dedicated to eliminating the use of the words “retard” and “retarded.” Several NBA players, including Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, Dwight Howard, and Chris Paul have signed on to this campaign, and it is an important component of our NBA Cares initiative, which builds on the NBA's long tradition of addressing important social issues in the United States and around the world.
Sincerely,
NBA Fan Relations
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No response from Miami Heat to date...
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LeBron James saying that the reporters question is "retarded" under his breath.
uploaded May 7 2011
(refresh if no video)
LeBron James muttered under his breath that a reporter's question to Miami Heat teammate Dwyane Wade on Saturday night (May 7 2011) was "retarded."
James and Wade were sharing the interview table following Miami's 97-81 loss at Boston in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. A female reporter asked Wade about his somewhat uncharacteristic rough play that included him tossing Celtics guard Rajon Rondo to the floor, resulting in a dislocated elbow.
The reporter used the word "dirty" to describe Wade's play. As she was asking the question, James muttered the word "retarded" under his breath. The sound was captured in a homemade video and posted on YouTube.
Wade answered the question, denying he was a dirty player and saying, "Basketball is a physical game."
# To Contact the NBA : http://www.nba.com/email_us/contact_us.html
# To Contact The Miami Heat : webmaster@heat.com
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