epicSocialism4tw
09-12-2005, 04:00 PM
...and it came from someone that I really don't like as a public figure...
Barkley sounds off on aid for hurricane victims
September 12, 2005
By Chris Bernucca
SportsTicker Pro Basketball Editor
BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - Never one to keep his opinion to himself, Charles Barkley believes the NBA - and America - has to do more for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Barkley was at the Toyota Center in Houston on Sunday night as part of TNT's coverage of the NBA Players Hurricane Relief Game, a star-studded gala affair in which all of the ticket proceeds - and more than $1 million in cash and goods contributed by the players - went to evacuees of the disaster that flooded New Orleans.
"This is a really nice thing what these guys are doing," Barkley said before the game. "(But) this is just one day. We need to look at the big picture now, and get these people back on their feet.
"We got to get them jobs and got to get them housing. That's the most important thing. This (game) is somewhat superficial. This is nice, but superficial. These people don't need to be watching basketball games; they need jobs and housing."
Like many people across the country, Barkley was not happy with the rate of response of the federal government in helping the tens of thousands of hurricane victims, many of whom are black, poor or both.
But unlike rapper Kanye West, who during last week's benefit concert on NBC bluntly introduced race to the issue by claiming that "(President) George Bush doesn't care about black people," Barkley believes the dividing line is economic.
"America is divided by economics, and especially poor kids have to get their education," he said. "If you are poor and black or poor and white or Hispanic, you are going to be at a disadvantage. You are not going to have the best neighborhoods or best school."
Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Kobe Bryant also believes nothing positive can come from drawing the divisive lines of racism across the tragedy.
"I don't think anyone in here cares about that right now," he said. "I don't think anyone cares if (the government) got there on time or not. They are where they are. Now it's a matter of them picking up the pieces and moving on. Everybody is echoing the same sentiment."
Although Barkley used basketball to make his way out of poverty in Alabama, he feels that is an unrealistic career path for most underprivileged youth. Education is a better route.
"A lot of kids just think about playing sports instead of being doctors, lawyers or even reporters," he noted. "That's why you have to get your education. You cannot be at the mercy of the government."
Barkley said he spent the last several days visiting shelters housing evacuees in Georgia and his home state of Alabama. The same way he overpowered opponents underneath the boards, he tried to hammer home his point to those left stranded by both the hurricane and what he feels is a tilted system.
"It's a really tough situation - sad and unfortunate, but hopefully, it's a wake-up call for people who are less fortunate," he said. "I stress a lot you have to get your education, especially black kids, poor white kids and Hispanic kids."
In Houston, many of the players who participated in Sunday's game visited the shelters and were struck by what they saw and heard.
"I met a kid up there that lost his mom and dad and his brother," Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said. "He was only 10 years old. That's hard for anyone to adjust to that."
"The main reason for this game is to get their minds off what has happened for the last couple weeks, give them a little entertainment and get them excited," Houston Rockets All-Star swingman Tracy McGrady said. "After this, hopefully, they will be in good spirits and go back to handling their businesses."
It will take more than that, and Barkley says NBA players - who have an average salary of $5 million per season - have to give more than a charity game and some money and clothes.
"I appreciate them taking time out of their busy, hectic schedule," Barkley said sarcastically. "That's a lie. Their schedule isn't busy or hectic, and I did it. They have been on vacation since June, and now they get to do something positive with their talent."
Kenny Smith, Barkley's partner on TNT's studio show "Inside the NBA" who organized Sunday's game on extremely short notice, said more would be done.
"(The game) was not a one-day event," Smith said. "It is important to realize the bigger picture. We gave goods and services to people today, but the people want to get out of the shelters, and they need houses and furniture. We want to help them."
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=barkleyhurricane&prov=st&type=lgns
Barkley sounds off on aid for hurricane victims
September 12, 2005
By Chris Bernucca
SportsTicker Pro Basketball Editor
BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - Never one to keep his opinion to himself, Charles Barkley believes the NBA - and America - has to do more for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Barkley was at the Toyota Center in Houston on Sunday night as part of TNT's coverage of the NBA Players Hurricane Relief Game, a star-studded gala affair in which all of the ticket proceeds - and more than $1 million in cash and goods contributed by the players - went to evacuees of the disaster that flooded New Orleans.
"This is a really nice thing what these guys are doing," Barkley said before the game. "(But) this is just one day. We need to look at the big picture now, and get these people back on their feet.
"We got to get them jobs and got to get them housing. That's the most important thing. This (game) is somewhat superficial. This is nice, but superficial. These people don't need to be watching basketball games; they need jobs and housing."
Like many people across the country, Barkley was not happy with the rate of response of the federal government in helping the tens of thousands of hurricane victims, many of whom are black, poor or both.
But unlike rapper Kanye West, who during last week's benefit concert on NBC bluntly introduced race to the issue by claiming that "(President) George Bush doesn't care about black people," Barkley believes the dividing line is economic.
"America is divided by economics, and especially poor kids have to get their education," he said. "If you are poor and black or poor and white or Hispanic, you are going to be at a disadvantage. You are not going to have the best neighborhoods or best school."
Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Kobe Bryant also believes nothing positive can come from drawing the divisive lines of racism across the tragedy.
"I don't think anyone in here cares about that right now," he said. "I don't think anyone cares if (the government) got there on time or not. They are where they are. Now it's a matter of them picking up the pieces and moving on. Everybody is echoing the same sentiment."
Although Barkley used basketball to make his way out of poverty in Alabama, he feels that is an unrealistic career path for most underprivileged youth. Education is a better route.
"A lot of kids just think about playing sports instead of being doctors, lawyers or even reporters," he noted. "That's why you have to get your education. You cannot be at the mercy of the government."
Barkley said he spent the last several days visiting shelters housing evacuees in Georgia and his home state of Alabama. The same way he overpowered opponents underneath the boards, he tried to hammer home his point to those left stranded by both the hurricane and what he feels is a tilted system.
"It's a really tough situation - sad and unfortunate, but hopefully, it's a wake-up call for people who are less fortunate," he said. "I stress a lot you have to get your education, especially black kids, poor white kids and Hispanic kids."
In Houston, many of the players who participated in Sunday's game visited the shelters and were struck by what they saw and heard.
"I met a kid up there that lost his mom and dad and his brother," Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said. "He was only 10 years old. That's hard for anyone to adjust to that."
"The main reason for this game is to get their minds off what has happened for the last couple weeks, give them a little entertainment and get them excited," Houston Rockets All-Star swingman Tracy McGrady said. "After this, hopefully, they will be in good spirits and go back to handling their businesses."
It will take more than that, and Barkley says NBA players - who have an average salary of $5 million per season - have to give more than a charity game and some money and clothes.
"I appreciate them taking time out of their busy, hectic schedule," Barkley said sarcastically. "That's a lie. Their schedule isn't busy or hectic, and I did it. They have been on vacation since June, and now they get to do something positive with their talent."
Kenny Smith, Barkley's partner on TNT's studio show "Inside the NBA" who organized Sunday's game on extremely short notice, said more would be done.
"(The game) was not a one-day event," Smith said. "It is important to realize the bigger picture. We gave goods and services to people today, but the people want to get out of the shelters, and they need houses and furniture. We want to help them."
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=barkleyhurricane&prov=st&type=lgns