[Saba Sports News] In a segment of the BET special “Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50,” Dwyane Wade made thought-provoking remarks drawing parallels between the NBA Draft process and slavery. Wade expressed, “I couldn’t help but draw a comparison, bringing them in, preparing them for sale, and branding them. It made me reflect on how my physique played a role in getting drafted, similar to the way it impacted the lives of those enslaved in the past. The process seemed eerily similar—clean up and let them draft me—built on the same principle.”
The history of the TransAtlantic slave trade, with its immense impact on American lives and the enduring humanitarian trauma, remains indelible in our collective memory. Wade employed allegory to highlight similarities between two distinct eras, acknowledging the transformative effect of the Draft on his family’s fortunes while grappling with its unsettling resemblance to how slaves were scouted and traded in bygone markets.
Draymond Green, known for his close relationship with LeBron James, once used slavery as an analogy to defend LeBron publicly. Green explained, “I face criticism for supporting Bron openly. But celebrating LeBron doesn’t diminish Steph’s brilliance. It’s akin to how they tried to turn us against each other in slavery.” Green’s context centers on the power dynamics within a system where individuals were pitted against each other to ensure personal safety—a comparison he extends to the modern era.
These instances, whether Wade or Green, possess underlying truths. However, some may find it somewhat disconnected for them to draw parallels to such a profound historical tragedy, given their substantial wealth.