Professional basketball player Enes Kanter fired off a series of tweets culminating in a stark reality check about civil liberties.
The Boston Celtics player did not name any names in his comments Monday but many speculated that he was reacting to controversial remarks by NBA star Lebron James on the NBA-China issue.
The Los Angeles Lakers star ignited a firestorm when he called out Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey for not being “educated” on the situation after his since-deleted tweet in support of protesters in Hong Kong. Morey was only “thinking about himself,” James told reporters Monday, referring to the tweet that said: “Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong.”
Morey soon deleted his tweet and offered an apology but the damage was done as China rebuked the remarks and retaliated by canceling their NBA sponsorships and threatened to stop airing NBA games. The NBA — already a controversial organization with its politically outspoken players — issued a statement seeking to smooth over the rift created by Morey after his tweet but only ended up sparking backlash from U.S. lawmakers, journalists, and social media users.
James seemed to stoke the fire again with his remarks Monday, saying Morey was “misinformed” and that sometimes “you have to think through things that may cause harm not only for yourself but for the majority of people.”
LeBron James: NBA exec is ‘uneducated’ for supporting Hong Kong protesters over China https://t.co/kvTqETEyQM pic.twitter.com/XLRPtJ0Mav
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) October 15, 2019
His attempt to clarify with subsequent tweets only made things worse and Kanter soon appeared to step in and take the Lakers-Celtics rivalry to a new level.
“Wow dude!’ he tweeted, without any other context.
Wow dude! ??♂️
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) October 15, 2019
He followed with “SMH” and a sick emoji in more tweets, again not referencing anyone in particular.
SMH
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) October 15, 2019
?
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) October 15, 2019
Kanter, the 27-year-old Turkish player born in Switzerland, then relayed his own personal experiences with a list of difficulties his home country’s totalitarian policies have created.
-Haven’t seen or talked to my family 5 years
-Jailed my dad
-My siblings can’t find jobs
-Revoked my passport
-International arrest warrant
-My family can’t leave the country
-Got Death Threats everyday
-Got attacked, harassed
-Tried to kidnap me in IndonesiaFREEDOM IS NOT FREE
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) October 15, 2019
According to The Washington Post:
The Boston Celtics forward has famously been at odds with the authoritarian regime in his home country of Turkey — to the point of apparent personal peril — and his tweets were interpreted by many as reactions to James.
That suspicion only grew when Kanter posted a list of setbacks suffered since he earned the enmity of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by becoming a follower of Fethullah Gulen, a cleric and prominent critic of Erdogan who has been living in self-imposed exile in the United States. The Turkish government has described Gulen as the leader of a cult and a terrorist group who was behind a failed coup attempt in 2016, and it has reportedly issued a warrant for the arrest of Kanter, who has become fearful of traveling outside of the U.S.
“FREEDOM IS NOT FREE,” Kanter concluded.
“How can I stay silent?” he asked in an opinion piece published Tuesday in the Boston Globe.
“Constant pressure by Turkish consulates across the United States, as well as pervasive and continual harassment by the government in Turkey, has so far failed to stifle my dissent. As they increase the pressure, I raise my voice. I won’t be deterred. They’re wasting their time,” he wrote.
Kanter also addressed the many blessings he has received from living in the U.S., again striking a clear contrast from the freedom James seemed to forget in his defense of China.
“I am immensely blessed to be in America. This country has given me so much since I came here from Turkey as a teenager, and I feel obliged to give back to the community,” he wrote. “I would languish in prison if I were in Turkey. Being apart from my family and friends has taken an enormous toll on me. But nothing good comes easy.”
While James earned scorn and backlash for his remarks on Morey’s views, Kanter was showered with praise for his courage and vocal stand.
Respect to Enes and everyone who fights for freedom.#StandWithHongKong #PassHKHumanRightsAndDemocracyAct
— Kai_Lo (@wykyle05) October 15, 2019
You’re not alone out there, we love you Enes keep that strength.
Respect
— Insano de OKC (@OKCInsano) October 15, 2019
Thank you for standing up for what you believe in despite the immense personal cost. You are a role model, hoping the best for your family! Keep fighting the good fight, brother
— ?? Abu Rafa ?? (@MikeThe4th) October 15, 2019
HEY NBA, this is what standing up for your beliefs is about. Might not always agree with Enes but unbelievable respect, makes me look at myself, I need to be better.
— David Boston (@cdbdavid1234) October 15, 2019
I do. Money talks.
— Hic Sunt Leones (@leones_hic) October 15, 2019
Glad to see there are some NBA players who possess a spine.
Wishing you and your family the best Enes.
— Boo?to you too ??️?????? (@trepur349) October 15, 2019
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Biden’s climate rule struck down by Texas judge: ‘Unauthorized’ - March 29, 2024
- ‘So satisfying!’ Karma comes potty-mouthed ‘Kayak Karen’ after she berates other boaters - March 28, 2024
- RFK Jr talks media bias, addresses possible Libertarian ticket in wide-ranging interview with Chris Cuomo - March 28, 2024
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!