Rosa Parks didn't do, what?

Ok before there's further controversy, I have a point here.

Some of you remember the iconic scene in the movie Barbershop where Eddie, the elderly barber, basically stated (which most of it are facts). Rosa Parks wasn't the first person to refuse to sit in the back of a bus but of course she did more. She simply received more media attention for certain reasons, one was her NAACP connections and another were her ties to Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.

That being said, enter on LeBron James.

He has been receiving mostly positive attention for the public school in Akron, OH that he plans to open. Basically, everything is funded for the students, even college. Bron has a long term plan for the funding, including involving the media, which he is good at and people will and are backing him.

I morally back this effort as well. However, I think it's good to remember that while what he's doing is monumental and unique, it definitely isn't original.

Enter Jalen Rose. Member of the Michigan Fab Five during the 90s. Former NBA player   ESPNU analyst now. He has been known for being salty and even negative. Early Wednesday following Bron's announcement, he made a very informative 3:01 video praising and applauding Bron, but making it a point to realize there are others that did similarly and are doing similarly. 

Not once in the video did Jalen say anything negative. He did mention that Bron is getting more attention due to his higher profile which is true.

What I'm saying is, the higher the profile, the more people notice you and your efforts. Think of which cars get noticed on the road more. They are rarely the grey or silver cars. They are usually the shiny, red and yellow luxury vehicles. And in this case LeBron and even the late Rosa are/were those cars.

Now while no one is really obligated to honor those from the past, it's a good gesture. They set the pace and paved the way for you to succeed. I don't put this on either figure either. Either people have short or zero memories of those that came before them and only acknowledge the here and now. 

I remember when Jordan was the face of the NBA, then Kobe, now it's Bron. The Golden State Warriors have won three championships in four years yet LeBron gets mentioned the most. Probably rightly so also.

People may not always possess the proper tone but the message is clear. The brightest flowers get picked first and that's life. However the other flowers matter also.

See my post on www.imjustdrew.com for more on supporting each other properly and honoring each other when we achieve more.