Celtics big man Enes Kanter has never been afraid to speak his mind as he advocates for human rights. On Thursday, a video surfaced of him speaking of the Chinese dictator Xi Jinping, and his brutal treatment of Tibet. The newly formed People’s Republic of China annexed Tibet in 1950.
Free Tibet
Kanter is wearing a shirt with the Dalai Lama on it and said:
“Brutal dictator of China, Xi Jinping, I have a message for you and your henchmen: ‘Free Tibet, free Tibet, free Tibet.”
“After learning all of this I cannot stay silent. I stand with my Tibetan brothers and sisters, I support their cause for freedom.”
https://youtu.be/Zlchca2Mmqc
After this video surfaced, all Celtics games were removed by the Chinese Government. They even blocked the country from streaming the team’s games via social media. But that’s the exact reason why Kanter is speaking out against this kind of governement control, oppression and abuse of freedoms.
China Responds
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry spoke out about the remarks:
“Kanter was clout-chasing, trying to get attention with Tibet-related issues. His wrong remarks are not worth refuting. Tibet is a part of China.”
Kanter is no stranger to backlash for speaking his mind on human injustice. A native of Turkey, Kanter criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the Turkish government’s authoritative rule. In wake of his comments, Turkey revoked his passport so he can’t go home to see his family. He also received death threats, and even had a warrant issued for his arrest.
Kanter Stands With People Of Turkey
Kanter had this to say about the situation:
“Turkey cannot be left in it’s own destiny in the hands of a lunatic dictator, who uses his public platform as a well-known NBA player to advocate on behalf of people of Turkey who can’t speak for themselves in fear of being arrested.”
Kanter’s familiy has also suffered and become targets of the Turkish government, as his dad was fired from the University as a professor. Games of his teams were also revoked. He doesn’t have any family in China, so this time, his speaking up for human rights shouldn’t directly effect his family or his homeland.
Enes Kanter can criticize Turkey, presumably because the Turks don't spend enough on NBA rights and merchandise. But China is off limits.
— Binyamin Appelbaum (@BCAppelbaum) October 8, 2019
Don’t Di$$ China
In 2019, former Rockets and current Sixers GM Daryl Morey made headlines for a tweet he made about unrest in Hong Kong. That tweet brought on all kinds of emotions and backlash.
The image Morey tweeted said the following:
“Fight for freedom, Stand with Hong Kong.”
Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta was quick to tweet that his Rockets team was “NOT a political organization.” But the damage had already been done. The NBA and Rockets backed Morey, stating his right to freedom of expression. That led to China — which wanted Morey fired — boycotting the league in its country, and a huge estimated revenue loss of at least $400 million.
LeBron tried to clean it up, but didn’t help the situation much. His comments just opened up the league to more criticism from both sides.
My team and this league just went through a difficult week. I think people need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. And I believe nobody stopped and considered what would happen. Could have waited a week to send it.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2019
The NBA and China are still trying to mend fences from the Daryl Morey incident in 2019, and now they have a new firestorm brewing via Enes “Human Rights” Kanter speaking out against dictator brutality in Tibet. You have to wonder how NBA commissioner Adam Silver will handle this one concerning China.
It’s safe to say Enes Kanter won’t be welcome in China or Turkey for the foreseeable future.
