Posted on 07/18/2013 4:31:14 PM PDT by nickcarraway
On Thursday’s “Closing Bell” on CNBC, former NBA and Auburn University basketball star Charles Barkley sounded off on the George Zimmerman trial verdict with what he called “not a very popular opinion.”
According to Barkley, the verdict was the proper one — but he took it further, criticizing the media for its coverage of racism evinced during the trial.
“I agreed with the verdict,” Barkley said. “I feel sorry that young kid got killed. But they didn’t have enough evidence to charge them. Something clearly went wrong that night. Clearly, something went wrong, and I feel bad for anyone losing a kid. But if you looked at the case and you don’t make it — there was racial profiling, no question about it. But something happened that changed the dynamic of that night. And I know — and that’s probably not a popular opinion among most people. But looking at the evidence, I agree with the verdict.”
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“I just feel bad because I don’t like when race gets out in the media, because I don’t think media has a pure heart, as I call it,” he continued. “There are very few people have a pure heart when it comes to race. Racism is wrong in any, shape, form. There are a lot of black people are racist, too. I think sometimes when people talk about racism, they act like only white people are racist. There are a lot of black people who are racist. And I don’t like it when it gets out there in the media because I don’t think the media has clean hands … and like I say, I’m sorry that young kid got killed but just judging by the evidence, I don’t think that guy should have went to jail the rest of his life. But something happened bad that night, obviously.”
Barkley didn’t say Zimmerman wasn’t without fault, but he offered his theory that Martin was an aggressor in the incident.
“Mr. Zimmerman was wrong, too — he was racial profiling,” he said. “But I think Trayvon Martin, God rest his soul, I think he did flip the switch and start beating the hell out of Mr. Zimmerman. But it was just a bad situation. Like I say, the main thing, I feel bad, but it gives every white person and black person who is racist a platform to vent their ignorance. You know, that’s the thing that bothers me the most because I watched this trial closely. And I watch these people are television talking about it. A lot of these people have a hidden agenda. You know, they want their racist views, whether they are white or black … the bias — it definitely comes out. It was a bad situation. We all lost. And I feel bad for his parents. You don’t ever want to see anybody lose a kid.”
Charles Barkley: predictably unpredictable.
So, will the race baiters jump on Sir Charles? He’s a guy who can definitely take the heat - and he has access to media.
uhm.. I’m speechless.
Im not Sir Charles is pretty much of a black white guy in many of his believes
I don’t know what it is about Barkley but I have not watched one Suns game since they traded him. They ticked me off! I like the guy.
Dang, he almost had me.
No Charles, there was Criminal Profiling! Big Difference, Idiot.
And could squash the race-baiters like a bug too . . .
That might be the sanest thing Barkley has ever said. He is always one for surprises, but it’s usually a matter of how far off into the deep end he goes. Not this time.
He has to appease the members of the species that look like him.
Never thought I’d say it but we need more Charles!
where’s little man Bob Costas.....now afraid to speak up?
He’ll be on the talking tour sometime soon
Every time I hear the word “conservative,” it makes me sick to my stomach
~Charles Barkley
I had to stop by a Wal-Mart yesterday and encountered two blacks on separate occasions in the store....yeah, I profiled and was ahem, alert.
See. .the world really HAS turned upside down. I disagree with Dr. Ben Carson and agree with Charles Barkley.
ROFL.
The Round Mound of Rebound will be under constant threat now.
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