Sports columnist Jason Whitlock joined a social media storm Wednesday following a tweet from NBA star LeBron James that critics say is a threat to the police officer who fatally shot a teenager in Columbus, Ohio.
James, who is from Ohio, spoke about various social justice issues, posted a photo of the officer on Twitter and wrote, “Next. #ACCOUNTABILITY ”.
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James deleted the tweet and said he did it because “it was used to create more hatred.”
“It’s not about one officer. It’s about the whole system and they always use our words to create more racism. I’m so desperate for more RESPONSIBILITY.”
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James was referring to Tuesday’s deadly shootings in Columbus, which took place minutes before the Derek Chauvin murder verdict. Police violated protocol and released images from the camera body of the incident that appeared to show a black girl accusing another woman of a knife. The officer was placed on administrative leave pending investigation. State law allows police to use lethal force to protect themselves or others, and investigators will determine whether the shooting was such a case.
The girl was identified as 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant.
Whitlock, who is black, responded to one of James’ tweets: “The black teenager tried to stab a black teenager. The 7-year-old black girl was shot at McDonald’s drive through. Silence. No tweets. You’re not tired. of young black people killing themselves. Silence. Without despair. How come? “
Whitlock appeared to be referring to Jaslyn Adams’ Sunday shooting death at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Chicago around 4:30 p.m. Her father was hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds, according to Fox 32. The gunman is still at large.
The shootings in Columbus sparked community protests and appeals from Ohio State University students asking the school to sever ties with police.
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Whitlock’s tweet is not the first time Laker has faced criticism for what some call selective outrage, especially last year’s NBA Chinese knockout.
The Associated Press contributed to this report