CNN’s David Aldridge Calls NBA All-Star ‘Black Thanksgiving’; Why That’s an Idiotic and False Statement

Maybe it’s a joke that you would hear at your local barbershop or from the mouth of a comedian who has a bit more leeway with being incorrect for the sake of laughter. However, when a respected journalist and prominent media outlet refers to NBA All-Star weekend as the “Black Thanksgiving,” it’s unacceptable on every level.

Featured in a column published by CNN.com, David Aldridge‘s piece was titled “‘Black Thanksgiving’ Commences in L.A. This Weekend.” Aldridge, who is black, mentioned in the article that the phrase was coined by fellow black journalist Michael Wilbon.

Both journalists have a history of being open about the racial aspects in sports and often provide insightful views on race; however, calling NBA All-Star weekend the “Black Thanksgiving” is an idiotic and false statement that should never have been published by CNN.

Why should an entire race be thankful that 17 black men get a chance to play a game in front of mostly rich white folks? Besides the 17 black millionaires whose talents are multi-billion dollar commodities for white owners, there isn’t much for blacks to be thankful for when it comes to the NBA All-Star weekend.

Along with the racial disparity in ownership (Michael Jordan is currently the only majority black owner in the NBA), there’s still a glaring lack of black media outlets who are allowed to cover the official events of NBA All-Star weekend.

As I write in the media room at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, I notice that there are only two other black writers, besides myself, in a room with close to 40 journalists.

Although it’s obvious that white media outlets would have a greater number of representatives at such a prominent event, it appears that even foreign publications outnumber black outlets.

It was even difficult for our publication, which is the largest free black-owned paper in America, to secure two media credentials for the entire weekend. So, while other foreign publications and white media outlets are given several media credentials, we are forced to maximize our coverage with only one member being allowed access.

Most of the parties during NBA All-Star weekend are hip-hop themed, because the majority of NBA players are a part of the hip-hop generation. Since the late ’90s, the NBA has used hip-hop as a way to market the league and players.

While a few rich black men get a chance to showcase their amazing talents on the court as Will.i.am’s latest songs are blasted throughout the arena, the NBA All-Star weekend will never be a holiday for which the black community should be thankful. –amir shaw