Before Game 4 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets’ Western Conference finals, Charles Barkley didn’t hold back on his opinions regarding the grand jury decision over the death of Breonna Taylor, as well as his take on movements to defund or abolish the police.
We know Barkley doesn’t ever hold back. Just last month he spoke about how “The bottom line is it is exhausting being Black, especially when you are a celebrity. You know, I love Tom Brady but nobody asks him about what is going on in white America. Nobody asks Luka Doncic what’s going on in America.”
On Thursday night, Barkley said on Inside the NBA that “we do have to take into account that her boyfriend did shoot at the cops and shot a cop.”
“So, like I said, even though I’m really sad she lost her life,” he continued, “I don’t think this is something we can put in the same situation as George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery.”
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
That still ignores some of the details. Per the Washington Post, which gathered the facts from the case that we know, if Taylor and her boyfriend Kenneth Walker didn’t hear police identify themselves and the door was knocked down, how was he to know they were officers? Also worth noting: there are attempts being made by Kentucky state representatives to end no-knock warrants entirely.
Barkley also called for police and prison reform over calls to defund or abolish the police.
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
This is a reminder that “defund the police” doesn’t mean completely dismantling police departments, but rather use the funding for other programs in communities. The argument against reform is that it’s been attempted, but police brutality and killings of Black people continue.
This is a sampling of some of the response:
No, #charlesbarkley, he shot at intruders. These intruders, who happened to be Police, did not identify themselves. He had every right to defend himself and Breonna against whoever was breaking into his house unannounced.
— Gia Monroe (@ItsaLearning) September 25, 2020
He's misinformed. Her boyfriend shot at intruders. Nobody knew they were the police because they didn't announce themselves. Witnessing what happens when everybody thinks they need to share their opinion…
— Chaton T. Turner (@Chatonsworld) September 25, 2020
Look at Charles Barkley using his platform to insinuate Breonna Taylor’s murder was somehow justified. Chuck, if you have no value to add then please get out of the way. pic.twitter.com/HOXLL6QOzE
— Deepak Okra (@EasyStreetKeys) September 25, 2020
Charles don't be stupid. "Defunding" the police doesn't mean abolishing the police it means reestablishing retraining and reorganizing the police that better "serve" their cultures and communities.There responsibility is2 serve. If you aren't sure about a topic don't speak on it.
— Johnny Heartbreak (@JohnGre58347093) 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
As they should. Barkley is wrong https://t.co/7UzWC4iYD0
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) September 25, 2020
