mekka okereke Mar 5, 2023

My take on the Ja Morant troubles is the same as a lot of my friends' takes:
* He needs better people around him, to advise him to make much better choices
* He has a much greater chance of becoming a victim, than being an aggressor.

As a Black athlete, if you make poor choices in legitimate conflict situations, you will be perceived as the villain, regardless of any preceding provocations.

Show threadmekka okereke Mar 5, 2023

No one will remember that a 17 year old neighbor was a guest in Ja's house, getting to play pickup basketball with an NBA all star. No one will care that this 17 year old got angry first, and intentionally threw the ball full force in Ja's face, striking him, or that the 17 year old threatened to come back and "Light the place up."

All they'll remember is "Ja hit a teen!" And "Ja pulled a gun on him!"

It doesn't matter if Ja never pulled his gun out, and showed it in response to a threat.

Show threadScruffy looking packet herder
@mekkaokereke Fight instructors have explained it to me this way. The cameras come out after you’ve started defending yourself. Nobody is going to film the lead up or remember why you are justified or not. Most “normal” people are going to catch at least an assault charge. You may very well end up getting off but you’re going to catch the charge. So always ask yourself if it’s worth taking that charge.
Mar 5, 2023 at 5:40pmWeb
Show threadScruffy looking packet herderMar 5, 2023
@mekkaokereke This is why they teach is that if you can safely use it the “Nike defense” is your first and best option. ( Naturally this assumes you are in public. ) Just get out of there if you possibly can.