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TNT analyst Charles Barkley responded to his colleague Kenny Smith’s open letter to him on Ferguson, Mo. first on 97.5 The Fanatic and then on Inside the NBA on Thursday night.
In his appearance on 97.5 The Fanatic, Barkley responded by saying he disagreed with Smith bringing up slavery in his open letter, which he published on For The Win.
The 97.5 The Fanatic appearance is available online here (his comments begin at the 5-minute mark). Below is a transcript of part of it:
Well, Mike, every time something bad happens in the black community, we can’t bring up slavery. I totally disagree with that. And you know, rioting doesn’t accomplish anything. And you know, to criticize me for using the word ‘scumbag’ or crooks or anything, I’m not going to get into the hyperbole over one word. But I did not like the fact that he brought up slavery. That is ridiculous to bring up slavery, there’s not a slave alive who knows anything about Michael Brown or Ferguson, Mo. I think that was disingenuous.
Listen man, I know that I’m black and I’m always going to be. I know anytime I disagree with black people I’m going to be a sell-out or an Uncle Tom. But I’m gonna try to always be fair, I’m going to judge everyone on their own merits. And like I said, as a black man I do understand that racism exists. It does exist. It always has and always will. And there are black racists also. I was taken back by the slavery comment.
He called me and asked if he could write the letter and I said ‘sure.’ I’m not offended that people disagree with me. As long as we’re having an open dialogue. We should be having an open dialogue about the cops, the black community, we clearly have to do better, we gotta do a better job of policing ourselves. I don’t blame all my ills on white folks, that’s just ridiculous.
On Inside the NBA, the crew discussed Smith’s letter, the Ferguson case and the Eric Garner case in the A-block. The discussion was civil and wide-ranging. Barkley reiterated his point about his disappointment in Smith bringing up slavery in his letter, while Smith pointed out he was more disappointed in the media treating Barkley’s voice as one that should be given equal weight to more prominent civil rights leaders. Shaquille O’Neal also spoke briefly, mentioning he believed that not all the facts were out about the Ferguson case.