Once again, LeBron James has proven his greatness, but this time as a father. It’s important to remember that our love for sports shouldn’t overshadow the importance of family, love, and simply having fun together.
It is a misguided notion to assume that black fathers do not care about their children and do not spend enough time with them. Some people are now criticizing LeBron James, a black father, for being too involved in his kids’ lives after he playfully dunked during his son’s layup line. This debate is pointless and only happens when people cannot distinguish between media coverage and genuine father-son bonding. Recently, I saw LeBron’s son Bronny play basketball at a packed gym, where the team’s family atmosphere impressed me more than Bronny’s game. There were heartwarming moments, such as Bronny’s younger brother joining the team’s pregame huddle and James’ wife and daughter enjoying the game together. Such a positive bonding experience between a father and his children should be celebrated, rather than criticized.
The story of LeBron and Gloria James is an amazing American tale. Despite the tremendous expectations placed on James, he has managed to stay true to himself and retain his childlike silliness, which is actually a compliment. His recent “Taco Tuesday” posts are a perfect example of his authenticity. Even with all the talk about his business acumen and his ranking as the greatest basketball player of all time, James still manages to maintain a fun-loving attitude. His pregame dunks also help take the pressure off of his son Bronny and his teammates, allowing them to focus on their game without worrying about living up to the James name. James’ role as a father figure extends beyond the basketball court. From November to June, he is a basketball player, but during the offseason, he is a devoted dad imparting valuable life lessons to his son and his teammates. James’ loyalty-infused culture is a testament to his existence both on and off the court, emphasizing the essence of humanity such as family, love, and fellowship. Jay-Z once said that if you can’t respect that, your whole perspective is wack.
