Charles Barkley Blames Cops Shooting Black People on Them Being "Nervous"

During an airing of ESPN's Mike & Mike podcast, the hosts spoke to Charles Barkley about some current issues. When asked about players protesting the White House when invited, Barkley said players should go to the White House because of what it represents not who is in office.

Barkley also stated that the media "hijacked" the story of why players like Kaepernick or Marshawn Lynch are protesting the national anthem. What started as an objection to police brutality and the systemic racism in America, Barkley says no one is speaking about the issue but rather who is and isn't doing what.

"We haven't solved one single issue. We don't even talk about the issues anymore... when's the last time we ever talked about why these guys are actually kneeling or holding up their fist?" Barkley and Mike believe people are losing sight of the statement being made at hand.

Barkley then goes on to critique the Black community for the issues within itself. "We need as Black players, we need to go back in our community. We got some serious issues. Number one, the public school system. The greatest country in the world, we got the worst public school in the country. We need to find a way to help these kids educated, also get into college. That way they'll be in a more conducive learning environment," said the former basketball player. "We have to work out [the] relationship with the cops. You know, we don't want young Black men killed by the cops, but also we got to take some personal responsibility for all the black on black crime is going on in our own community. The cops come in there when they make mistakes we need to hold them accountable. But also we have to understand they come in there, they're nervous, they're hyper. They're going to make some makes, that doesn't excuse it but we have to take some responsibility." The commentator then goes on to criticize those who say that black on black crime is a way to deflect from the issue at hand, and says the way to solve problems is with economic power.

Listen to what the player has to say above.