LeBron James hints presidential ambitions

LeBron James (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

THE number 23 has long been synonymous with LeBron James’ career in the NBA, but the number 2020 could play a more significant part in the athlete’s life after sport.
The basketball superstar has hinted he “may” go head-to-head with Donald Trump in the 2020 United States presidential election.
James recently signed for the LA Lakers after four years with the Cleveland Cavaliers but recently told CNN about his decision to open a school in Akron in Ohio, about his thoughts on racial inequality in America, and the conditions required for him to compete against Trump in two years’ time.
“I don’t know,” James said when he was asked about becoming president. “I may… if they (The Democratic Party) have no one, I believe there may be someone… I may (run). Let’s see.”
Education could rank high on his political agenda after he opened the “I Promise” educational facility, a school for 240 at-risk students.
James, a three-time NBA champion, wanted to create the school to give children an opportunity to excel despite difficult life or social situations elsewhere.
The facility is open for longer hours — from 8 am to 5 pm — because James says he wants the kids in school instead of on the street.
If James ran for office, achieving racial harmony in America would likely also be at the forefront, as he believes race is something Trump is using to divide the country.
“Our president is using sport to divide us and that’s something I can’t relate to. Sport was the first time I was around someone white, and I got the opportunity to learn about them and them about me. Sport brings [people] together.”
James once had to explain racism to his children when vandals graffiti’d the “n-word” over his Los Angeles property .
“No matter how big you can become, no matter how successful you are, no matter what you do in the community or in your profession, being African American in America is tough, and they always going to let you know that you are the ‘n-word’ — no matter who you are,” he told CNN.
James then offered advice to young African Americans on how to overcome racism. “When you’re an African American kid, male or female, you’re always going to be against obstacles,” he said. “You can allow it to affect you, or you can allow it to empower you and rise above it.
“When you look at the greatest leaders of our time, Muhammad Ali and Dr Martin Luther King, after all the adversity they went through, they never let it down them. They used it as motivation to be more powerful — and they are the reason we are here today.”
— Business Insider