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May 14, 2022 was a dark day for the United States of America. In a heart-wrenching incident, an armed gunman shot dead ten people and injured 3 others. Immediately after, the accused was arrested and charged with first degree murder. After being stunned into silence by the gravity of this incident, civil society finally started an uncomfortable but important conversation on this saga. Living up to its  socially conscious image, the NBA world also had its fair share of opinions.

After Magic Johnson voiced his frustrations over the state of affairs, his “Showtime” mate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went one step further. In a strongly worded blogpost on his popular substack, Kareem echoed some grave concerns about the country.

NBA Legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar Targets Tucker Carlson and the Media

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Like others weighing in on the issue, Kareem expressed a deep sense of grief and disappointment. However, beyond that, the Lakers legend also posed some important questions.

His most scathing criticism was reserved for Tucker Carlson of Fox News, whom he called out for the content of his shows. Notably, Carlson helms one of the most popular shows on news television. In fact, his nightly show, “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” was the most watched news program of 2021.

via Reuters

Given Carlson’s impact, Kareem has a problem with the ideas he conveys. As per the 6 time NBA Champion, Carlson and Fox are definitely not responsible for the monstrosity in Buffalo, but he refused to call their “hands clean.”

“I’m not saying censor Carlson or Fox or that they are responsible for the shootings. But neither are their hands completely clean. They have proven over the years that profit is their god and they will make no apologies or take any responsibilities for the deadly consequences. Remember how much they mocked vaccines and masks and shutdowns, even as COVID-19 was killing off their own audience?”

READ MORE: Ben Shapiro Termed Intellectual Lightweights by Outspoken Lakers Legend

“Still, what if Tucker Carlson and his ilk didn’t pimp the Great Replacement Theory to create a warm and fuzzy incubator to grow the twisted ideas that appeal to these killers? What if they thought, “Even though our audience loves nutjob conspiracy theories, maybe we are doing harm to our country by promoting them…Nah!” Instead, America to them is a giant ATM machine and their PIN code is SCREWU”

The Other Side of the Story

Tucker Carlson hasn’t responded to Kareem’s allegations yet, but the popular Fox News anchor did weigh in on the Buffalo Shootings. In a strong defense of gun laws, Carlson asserted that the real problem is something we haven’t yet focused on.

“So gun control, whether you find the slogans appealing or not, will not stop the next Payton Gendron or Salvador Ramos and every rational person knows it. The only way to stop these killings is to figure out why American society is producing so many violent young men. There is a reason they are acting this way. What is that reason?”

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The frustrations from both sides are expected and natural, given how visceral the crime  is. However, if these conversations take the country closer towards a solution, it would deeply benefit the 300 million+ residents of the United States of America.

It’s also very heartening to see NBA icons like LeBron James, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar taking interest in finding these solutions. Hopefully, all these contributions are the light at the end of the tunnel that the country is desperately searching for.