When the Houston Rockets released a photo showing James Harden wearing a Thin Blue Lives mask, Twitter users reacted strongly. Many criticized the veteran player, but rapper Young Thug came to his defense. He said Harden didn’t know what the design meant because “it doesn’t have the internet.”
“Just so you know that James toughens up is my brada … he certainly doesn’t have the internet, so he obviously doesn’t know what’s right or what’s wrong if he posts something against the United States … but I hate when rappers come in n – “It is as if it could not happen to Em Buster, make it clear that they are activists,” Thug tweeted. Meek Mill also intervened and defended Harden. He said that the Rockets player does not know what the mask means “because I did not Mill also said that Harden “donates millions” in real life.
The Rockets player later responded to the torrent of criticism. He spoke to reporters and explained that he did not know what the mask meant. “I was honestly not trying to make a political statement,” Harden said on ESPN. “I honestly used it just because it covered my entire face and my beard. It’s pretty simple.”
Harden also addressed law enforcement issues, saying “there are people who do their job at a high level and there are BS people in all professions.” When asked about plans to put a social justice message on his shirt, Harden said he will do so during the reboot. However, he did not reveal what message he will use, he just said that it is in process at the moment.
While Harden sparked comments about his mask on social media, NASCAR driver Kyle Weatherman has participated in the Xfinity series with his Back the Blue paint scheme. He first debuted the design during the Contender Boats 250 on June 14 and has since added names of officers who died in the line of duty. Weatherman explained before the first presentation that “I wanted to express that most of the first responders are good people.”
Mike Harmon Racing, the team behind Weatherman, has previously painted cars to honor active duty military and veterans, law enforcement officers, and first responders. Additionally, several military nonprofit organizations sponsor the team. Team owner Mike Harmon said the current scheme resulted in families of officers killed in the line of duty, sending hundreds of emails in appreciation of the recognition.
“Regarding this week’s painting issue, there are thousands upon thousands of police officers in this country who serve us very well and don’t deserve to be disrespected and unappreciated,” Harmon said in a statement to CNN. “We at MHR want to send the message (that the death of the police officers killed in the line of duty) was not in vain and that they are not forgotten and highly appreciated.”
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