Former No. 1 NBA draft pick Kwame Brown has built a reputation for speaking his mind, often targeting public figures without holding back. Over the years, Brown has made headlines for taking aim at prominent personalities like LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith. Now, he’s drawing attention once again, this time for his outspoken criticism of Black celebrities who are urging people to vote for Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election.
Brown specifically called out comedian and radio host Rickey Smiley, who recently criticized those who do not support Harris. Brown took issue with what he sees as an attempt to shame people into voting for the Vice President, questioning the motives behind such endorsements.
“Any time you have a man jump on TV, or jump on his radio show, and coerce or tell his followers to follow or unfollow Black people that don’t like Kamala … What if the Black people were voting for [independent presidential candidate] Cornel West? Oh, that doesn’t fit his narrative,” Brown remarked in a recent interview, as reported by Fox News Digital. He went on to emphasize that, in his view, voters should be more concerned with the issues that directly affect their lives rather than the race of the candidates. “When you talk about real situations, people are not concerned with somebody being Black or not,” he added.
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But Brown didn’t stop there. He continued his critique by addressing what he sees as unrealistic expectations being set for Black voters. He argued that simply voting for Harris because of her race won’t solve the practical issues people face. “You’re not paying nobody’s bills with your skin color. Kamala Harris is not going to help get your bills paid just ‘cause she’s Black,” Brown stated, making it clear that he believes voters should prioritize policies over identity.
Brown also extended his criticism to other prominent Black figures, including D.L. Hughley and Steve Harvey, accusing them of supporting Harris solely based on her race. He questioned the authenticity of their endorsements, suggesting that their support might be more about identity politics than genuine belief in Harris’s ability to address the needs of the Black community.
As the presidential election draws closer, it’s likely that Brown will continue to voice his opinions, particularly regarding the influence of celebrities in political discourse. His recent comments have sparked discussions about the role of race in politics and the responsibility of public figures when endorsing candidates.
Given his track record, it wouldn’t be surprising if Brown has more to say as the election season heats up.
