TNT basketball commentators Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal are facing the outrage of thousands on social media, after the pair pointed out how defunding the police will harm black people.
Barkley went on a tear after the announcement of the charges of a single Louisville, Kentucky, police officer in the wake of the shooting of Breonna Taylor.
“Who are black people supposed to call, Ghostbusters, when we have crime in our neighborhood? We need to stop the defund or abolish the police crap,” Barkley said during the Thursday broadcast of NBA on TNT.
Charles Barkley on defunding the police "Who are black people supposed to call Ghost Busters when we have crime in our neighborhood? We need to stop the defund or abolish the police crap" pic.twitter.com/uEIsnX729g
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 25, 2020
Barkley added that the real solution is to root out and eliminate the “bad” cops.
“We need to weed out the bad cops — you know I hear these guys getting on television these politicians talking about ‘defunding the police department,’” he said. “First of all, that would have a negative effect on the black communities — who the black people gonna call, Ghostbusters? Because they’re not gonna defund the police in the good white neighborhoods, so we need police reform.”
Barkley added that the Taylor case was being misunderstood by many because the woman’s boyfriend fired at the police first. And Barkley said that you couldn’t put the Taylor case in the same category as the George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery shootings.
Charles Barkley says you can't put the Breonna Taylor case in the same situation as George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery because her boyfriend shot at the police pic.twitter.com/8dMjVMZp39
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 25, 2020
Shaquille O’Neal added his voice to the topic and agreed with Barkley.
“I have to agree with Charles. This one is sort of lumped in,” O’Neal said. “You have to get a warrant signed, and some states do allow no-knock warrants. And everyone was asking for murder charges. When you talk about murder, you have to show intent. A homicide occurred, and we’re sorry a homicide occurred. When you have a warrant signed by the judge, you are doing your job, and I would imagine that you would fire back.”
Attackers quickly swamped Barkley on social media by users shocked by his lack of support for the defund the police movement.
I just….like…why read Bron's very heartfelt tweet about Breonna Taylor, only to follow it up w/ Charles Barkley basically saying, "It's sad, but her boyfriend fired first so….*kanye shrug*"
Please stop talking about things if you don't have the range. It's okay to be quiet
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) September 25, 2020
What is Charles Barkley talking about???????????????
"This [Brianna Taylor's death] isn't like Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd."
You're right. It's not, because she was at home, asleep in her bed.
TF???
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) September 25, 2020
I dnt know why Charles barkley still surprises yall lolpic.twitter.com/L7AIkso4Gx
— tayö (@tayoshi2) September 25, 2020
i know Charles Barkley did NOT just say on national television — “i’m sad Breonna Taylor lost her life, but we can’t forget her boyfriend did fire at a cop first.”
please tell me i heard that wrong incorrectly …
— Ashley Nicole. (@AshNicoleMoss) September 25, 2020
I didn’t know I could be this disgusted by Charles Barkley.
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) September 25, 2020
I'm done with Charles Barkley. Stop asking him about black issues.
— Dos Virgils (@thisiseaston) September 25, 2020
not charles barkley on national fucking television saying that breonna taylor isnt the same as george floyd bc her boyfriend shot back trying to protect them pic.twitter.com/pbKnS5Hinq
— Published Illustrator👩🏾💻 (@rawshedopee) September 25, 2020
I watch Inside the NBA specifically to hear well-informed takes about cops from Charles Barkley (Republican), Ernie Johnson (2016 John Kasich voter), and Shaq (literally a cop)
— sreekar (@sreekyshooter) September 25, 2020
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