WASHINGTON _ LeBron James wore black Nike sneakers with "equality" emblazoned in gold across the back for the Cavaliers' season opener against the Boston Celtics.
But the decision by the corporation and its famous endorser for Sunday's game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena made a more visual and, for some, a more powerful statement.
In the first half, James sported one black shoe and one white shoe with the same word printed across the heels.
It was no coincidence that James chose to protest social injustice at a venue located between the White House and the U.S. Capitol.
He's been a vocal critic of President Trump since he called Trump "U bum" on Twitter on Sept. 23 after Stephen Curry said he would not visit the White House if the NBA champion Golden State Warriors received the customary invitation. Trump rescinded the offer before the Warriors had a chance to vote on the trip.
James continued his assault at Cavs media day on Sept. 25. He told those who voted for Trump, "You may have made a mistake and that's OK," despite the fact that Trump carried Ohio. James said he didn't regret referring to Trump as a bum and would have deleted the tweet if he had.
A week later, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert told CNBC he received "the most vile, disgusting, racist" voicemails after James' "U bum" tweet. During an interview on the network's Squawk Box, Gilbert called the voicemails "some of the most disgusting things I've ever heard people say. You could hear it in their voice."
Gilbert said he admired James for his willingness to speak out on social issues. James took another step when Nike showed James the black and white shoe idea for Sunday's game.
"I was like, 'Let's do it,' " James said.
After the Cavs' 106-99 victory, James explained the message he was trying to convey.
"Obviously we all know where we are right now, and we know who is at the helm here," James said. "Us as Americans, no matter the skin color, no matter the race, no matter who you are, I think we all have to understand that having equal rights and being able to stand for something and speak for something and keeping the conversation going.
"Obviously I've been very outspoken and well-spoken about the situation that's going on at the helm here, and we're not going to let one person dictate us, us as Americans, how beautiful and how powerful we are as a people. Equality is all about understanding our rights, understanding what we stand for and how powerful we are as men and women, black or white or Hispanic. It doesn't matter your race, whatever the case may be, this is a beautiful country and we're never going to let one person dictate how beautiful and how powerful we are."
