Commentary by JEA, VT Editor:
Dwight Howard is gradually realizing that the same Jewish spirit that kept black people in chains during the slavery movement in the United States continues to keep people like him in chains. The only difference is that he now gets paid too much to entertain people and to live a wild life. Despite his remarkable achievements as an NBA champion, eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA Team honoree, five-time All-Defensive Team member, and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Howard has faced criticism because he simply challenged the Jewish/Israeli narrative.
Howard has five children with five different women, a topic often discussed in the media. His professional standing was largely unaffected until he voiced his opinion on the Israel/Palestine issue. According to Howard, when he tweeted “Free Palestine” in 2014 when he was playing for the Houston Rockets, he received a call from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who is Jewish, within seconds, which he interpreted as a strong message about the boundaries of acceptable public discourse.
Howard, of course, chooses to remain in the NBA, likely drawn by the allure of an extravagant paycheck and a lifestyle that includes his relationships with multiple women. However, the underlying message is clear: Howard faces no consequences for his controversial personal choices but risks immediate backlash for speaking out on political issues, such as the situation in Palestine. Howard could even face allegations of engaging in a threesome with two other men, yet he still retains the opportunity to play in the NBA.
Adam Silver has indirectly given us enough ammunition, and his reaction highlighs an underlying issue within the NBA. The organization appears to function in a way that discourages players like Howard from addressing meaningful topics such as the Israel/Palestine conflict. In essence, the NBA fosters an environment that encourages compliance and discourages dissent. For those who wish to speak out on significant issues like Israel/Palestine, Silver’s message seems unmistakable: “Stay silent or leave. We only pay you so that we can get rich and control you’all. Keep your chains you…”