Celebrity

Charles Barkley: Black People, Not Whites, Keep Black People Down

By 19
Charles Barkley isn't afraid of controversy as he attacks community problems head-on.

Charles Barkley isn’t afraid of controversy, as he attacks community problems head-on. (Flickr/R24KBerg Photos)

Charles Barkley: Black People, Not Whites, Keep Black People Down

NBA legend and all around awesome person, Charles Barkley, was recently interviewed by a local Philadelphia radio station about the current racial issues plaguing America. During the interview, Barkley stated that “unintelligent,” “brainwashed” African-Americans are the ones keeping successful ones down, not white people, or cops.

 “Unfortunately, as I tell my white friends, we as black people, we’re never going to be successful, not because of you white people, but because of other black people. When you’re black, you have to deal with so much crap in your life from other black people. It’s a dirty, dark secret; I’m glad it’s coming out.”

What prompted Charles Barkley’s response was a question posed to him on the radio show, “Afternoons with Anthony Gargano and Rob Ellis;” he was asked about a rumor that Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was being accused by his fellow teammates of not being “black enough.”

“One of the reasons we’re never going to be successful as a whole, because of other black people. And for some reason we are brainwashed to think, if you’re not a thug or an idiot, you’re not black enough. If you go to school, make good grades, speak intelligent, and don’t break the law, you’re not a good black person. And it’s a dirty, dark secret.”

Colin Kaepernick’s and Chris Brown’s most recent debacles are prefect examples of Charles’ logic.

Charles Barkley finished out his interview by stating:

“There are a lot of black people who are unintelligent, who don’t have success, It’s best to knock a successful black person down because they’re intelligent, they speak well, they do well in school, and they’re successful…We’re the only ethnic group who say, ‘Hey, if you go to jail, it gives you street cred.’ It’s just typical BS that goes on when you’re black, man.”

Do you agree with Charles Barkley’s assessment? Let us know on our Facebook page.

 

View Comments 19
  • Clara L. Drechsel Jimerson

    I am relieved to read this article about Mr. Barclay, a successful person who happens to be black, talking about the attitudes of many of our citizens here in the USA. His concept crosses all nationalities, races, and immature ideas of what is the right thing to do with their lives.

    • darthslowe

      It does cover many social divides, but it is important to acknowledge its pervasiveness in the black community. This isn’t to be racist, but rather because the first step to solving a problem is to acknowledge there is a problem.

  • jensopine

    There are many successful Black people as there are many White people and then there’s those of us who just worked hard, raised our kids and didn’t really do anything phenomenal with our lives – just loved our family and tried to teach them Faith and Caring for their fellow neighbors. I was looked down on many times as a poor, single white woman with two kids who had no family to speak of to help when things got tough. It wasn’t easy for my kids when they had friends who had dads and moms in nice homes with nice clothes and nice cars and just overall a nice, comfortable existence. Those friends who grew up to the 8th grades began to look down on mine because they didn’t fit in. It hurt them. But still they grew up and got through their issues and now are in their 40’s – 50’s… working hard still to keep off the welfare dole and still aiming to be better at their lives. Personally I feel that the Black race has a lot going for them in many ways – they just don’t see it unfortunately.

    • darthslowe

      This is what he’s saying, though. He isn’t measuring success as making millions of dollars. He is measuring success as staying in school, having a family (with both parents), and staying off welfare.

  • Karen T.

    There was a young Haitian sister and brother who lived a few doors down from us. My son and the brother were friends in elementary school. The sister was in the local intermediate school, one block away, which was 99% black. She had her head bashed in at 13 years old for “acting white” just because she did well as a mathlete. Her mom was a hard working RN, and wanted her children to have a great education. The sister survived, and they moved from the neighborhood so her daughter could go to a school where she was not in danger from working hard.

  • Melvin Hines

    I don’t

  • Anthony Rocchio

    Not sure anyone is “keeping them down”. Weather you’re black, white or any race, young people all need the same thing, positive role models, positive father figures.

  • Gene Splicer

    Chris Rock spilled the beans on this 20 years ago. Hasn’t changed a damn thing.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3PJF0YE-x4

  • Welfare Mammy

    the blacks are by far the most racist group in America. ALL they do is obsess over ‘whitey is keeping them down’. Blacks are given so many advantages and opportunities that no other group in America is given yet most dont take advantage and would rather complain about the so called racism then step up and do something positive

  • Teresa Koehlar

    Exactly, support criminals and not the victims. The message they are putting out is that black people are victims and justified for their criminals actions. I have black friends that have been threaten for speaking up against black criminals. They are called uncle tom’s. The truth is all races do it to each other, woman do it to woman. work or stay at home, where they live, how they dress, etc. The truth is we are all slave to the very rich and we fight among our selves because the rich and powerful keep us distracted and deflect from the truth. We are all fighting for the same scraps and bones. We are all effected by the greed of Corp American.

  • Jaycey

    When I first began teaching in an inner city high school over 30 years ago, I noticed the smart, successful black students being taunted by the other black kids with names such as “School Boy” or “School Girl”, actually trying to shame them out of being successful. I also noticed that there was a certain “hierarchy” among the black population due to the darkness of their skin……and it was the opposite of what I would have thought…..the lighter the skin color, the more esteem they were held in. I’m glad Sir Charles spoke out and I hope they will actually listen.

  • Fullname J Warrington

    “Recently”? This was two years ago!

    That being said, it’s just as true now, if not moreso. Alas.

  • Weldon Williams

    What a slave!

    • oldfrog

      What an idiot…! I’m sure Mr. Barkley would thank you for helping him make his point… I know I do…!

      • Weldon Williams

        Hi racist

        • oldfrog

          Slave/Racist…That all ya got…?

          • Weldon Williams

            Go away racist

          • oldfrog

            Here’s a quote for you…

            “Petty insults are not a substitute for intelligence”
            Weldon Williams

            Maybe you should take your own advice… Jus Sayin…

          • Oldfrog

            Crickets… ???????? Well, I guess you got nothing…? I apologize for having you eat your own words, that can’t be a very pleasant experience… Jus Sayin… ????