Luol Deng could not remain silent. As we saw after the match between South Sudan and Team USA, Gilbert Arenas did not hesitate to use xenophobia to describe the Americans' opponents. The former Wizards player spoke of “some Africans”of “cousins” of Joel Embiid, of players who have not “not even shoes” And “shooting wicker baskets in the dust”…
Joel Embiid did not hide his disappointment in the face of this kind of comment. But Gilbert Arenas was not the only one to denigrate the South Sudan team since Paul Pierce had done the same.
The former Celtics player, hilarious, had made fun of a team who probably does not have “a player over 1m90” and managed to make it to the Olympics when Luka Doncic and Slovenia (Paul Pierce would later say “Lithuania”…) were not there. The 2008 Finals MVP would later apologize.
Faced with these mockeries, Luol Deng, president of the South Sudanese federation, responded with a long message.
“I normally don’t pay attention to these types of comments, but as an African, a leader in my community and the president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, I think it is important to respond. I am speaking to those who have questioned these comments, to those who have been offended by them and to all those who have followed our story.
I am not upset or angry about these ignorant remarks made by my former colleagues; I was more disappointed to see them coming from two people I have always respected. Paul Pierce's comments are a reflection of misinformation and lack of research. However, he took the opportunity to be positive once he was informed. I thank Paul Pierce for his apology, which I respect.
“We have worked very hard over the last four years to be here, and we can't let a few seconds take away from that.”
Growing up, I heard many similar comments, and it was these same remarks that motivated me to change the game. Today, Africans are showing solidarity and support for one another more than ever. It is not in times like these that we should get angry and angry. Many Africans and Black people who embrace their African heritage are working hard to bring all Black people together by educating them and sharing stories and historical moments, showing them that we have much more in common than we do differences.
As for Gilbert’s comments, they were certainly more disrespectful and cruel. Personally, I don’t care much for them. I would never trade places with anyone; being African is special. However, for young Africans and African Americans who admire and listen to Gilbert, these comments can cause them to think less of themselves and cause the rest of the world to think less of Africans. Those who are easily misled may make comments that reflect more self-hatred than pride. There is nothing in our history that we should run away from.
In fact, I want to thank them both for giving us this platform to respond and educate others. We have worked very hard over the last four years to be here, and we cannot let a few seconds rob us of that. Instead, let us appreciate the moment and use these comments as an opportunity to educate. It is always better to be loved than tolerated. If we, as a people, realized the greatness that we come from, we would be less likely to disrespect each other.”
