The barbershop is known to be a safe haven for black men to say what they feel. Most importantly, it's a perfect space to get away from the racial tensions bubbling up as of late.
In LeBron James' new television venture, The Shop, James has brought that safe space to the masses, and unapologetically so. It's time to be loud and proud.
The new HBO show premiered on Tuesday night, and folks seemed to really enjoy it based on Twitter reactions. But, there was one particular moment that stood out above the rest:
wow, a mood! pic.twitter.com/7lPmGzdUyv
— Najma Sharif (@overdramatique) August 29, 2018
You know what… this nigga may be better than Michael Jordan after all pic.twitter.com/T54gxEYn8H
— hubert. (@kadeejra) August 29, 2018
Did he really … did he really just say, "I don't want nothing to do with white people?" On a premiere cable network?!
Yes, yes he did.
Bloop.
Lebron unfiltered is ????. #theshopHBO
@KingJames— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) August 29, 2018
So far LeBron is basically batting 1.000 in his TV/film career. He was great in Trainwreck, Survivor's Remorse is fun/entertaining, The Shop is great, and the student athlete documentary looks like it'll be really good.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) August 29, 2018
When people talk about “having a conversation” in this country about our issues. Things like Lebron’s The Shop on HBO is exactly what they mean. Leaders are gonna lead, props Lebron and thank you!!! Steps in the right directions. Hope it turns out well
— Josh Rosen (@josh3rosen) August 27, 2018
#TheShopHBO was dope. We need more spaces where black athletes can be authentic, genuine and unapologetically themselves instead of pandering to white audiences. And you need people of color for that to happen.
LeBron thankfully gets it. Hopefully others now will too.
— Master (@MasterTes) August 29, 2018
The ever-present Michael Jordan comparison came up, of course. Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors wrote he believes King James is finally stepping into Jordan status by being unapologetically himself the way the Bulls hero was:
Warriors' Draymond Green said Lakers' LeBron James finally 'found himself' in Michael Jordan-like fashion during his second Cleveland tenure
From James's new HBO Sports show 'The Shop' pic.twitter.com/M8Oq40842J
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 29, 2018
"Motherf**kers f**ked with Mike because Mike was like 'I'm Mike with my hood earring. F**k all y'all, I'm here.' And until he did that, that's when he became the figurehead that he is," Green noted. "So many people shy away from that and that's why they never reach their full potential."
And there you have it.
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