Does LeBron deserve a thank you?

Last week there was an officer involved shooting in Columbus, OH in which a person died.  Following the shooting NBA star LeBron James commented on Twitter implying that the officer’s actions were unwarranted or unjustified.  After the police department released body cam video showing that the person shot by the officer was armed with a knife and actively trying to stab another person, people from all walks of life and ethnicity (not just law enforcement) began to criticize LeBron for not educating himself about the incident before making an assumption and “tweeting” his preconceived notions.  Once the wide criticism began, he took down the original “tweet” and published another tweet trying to justify his previous actions, he has also been criticized for that “tweet” as well.

In addition to posting comments on social media, people have been doing videos, some humorous, pointing out the hypocrisy in LeBron James’ original and subsequent “tweet”.  I’ve watched some of the humorous videos as well as various non law enforcement podcasts about the criticisms of LeBron James and voicing their belief that the criticisms are justified, that he should have educated himself on the facts before “tweeting” anything.  One thing I have noticed is that no one has said thank you to LeBron for his “tweet”!  Yes, you read correctly, I said that no one said thank you to LeBron!  While I disagree with his post and believe he was wrong for posting it I will offer a thank you to LeBron for doing so.

 

I say that LeBron James deserves a thank you because with one “tweet” he has proved a point that law enforcement has been trying to make for years.  More importantly he has caused people not involved in law enforcement to understand and whether they realize it or not, to echo what law enforcement professionals have been saying!

 

The vast majority of people in law enforcement view it as a profession, not a job, and when there is an incident with law enforcement that results in a death, they believe that it should be investigated to determine what occurred and if the law enforcement action was appropriate and justified.  What law enforcement has been asking is judge us but judge us based on the facts and circumstances of the incident, not on any preconceived notions.  Law enforcement realizes that there maybe a time in which an officer may act inappropriately, or act based on the individual officer’s preconceived notions.  Law enforcement is not saying that their actions should not be reviewed and scrutinized, they are only asking not to base your opinion or judgement on your own preconceived notions or prejudices.  

That is why many have had an issue with other professional athletes demonstrating against law enforcement, they have done so before having all the information or facts.  The problem has been that these professional athletes have chosen to protest an incident believing that the officer was wrong or that their actions were the result of some hatred towards another person’s race or ethnicity.  When facts reveal that their belief was wrong, that the officer did not act based on race, some chose to ignore those facts or claim the facts were a part of a conspiracy to cover up wrongdoing on the part of the officer.  Rarely does an athlete say they were wrong or allowed their emotions to influence their actions before knowing the facts.

 

When LeBron James posted his “tweets” he did something that law enforcement professionals have been trying to do for several years, that is point out to the public that initial information you hear may not be accurate or complete, it could also be completely wrong.

 

Now, after viewing LeBron James original “tweet” regarding the Columbus, OH shooting many have come to a conclusion that law enforcement has spent years asking for, which is that they be judged on the facts instead of emotions.  Let’s just hope that this is not just a one-time thing, that this does not fade away with time.  My other hope is that LeBron James can stop being defensive for a minute and look at his actions objectively.  If he does that maybe he can learn that same lesson.   

 

That’s my opinion, what’s yours