By Antonis Stroggylakis & Mete Budak/info@eurohoops.net
As of the 8th of November, Donald Trump is the incoming president of the USA by winning the 2016 elections against Hilary Clinton after what was proven to be a successful campaign and despite his… “controversial” or “extreme” (to say the least) ideas and beliefs which often carry no small amounts of racism, sexism and pro-discrimination rhetoric towards all kinds against minorities and certain groups of people.
It’s a result which may have stunned many, but didn’t really come as a surprise to others. More importantly, him becoming the new resident of the “White House” is something which affects the entire planet and not only one country.
Trump winning the elections has caused a great deal of reactions from the basketball word. Gregg Popovich, for example, said he feels “sick to my stomach”, and various NBA players expressed their discontent with him being the new president of the USA.
We asked five plus one American players that spend their professional careers in Europe to give their opinion on Donald Trump, the elections result and his upcoming presidency. We can say we were more than pleased with the quality and diversity of their answers.
Keith Langford (Unics Kazan): “Hopefully it’s a step towards more solidarity in the African-American community”
“Donald Trump is interesting. On one side I recognize everything negative as everyone else does. He perpetuates a message that leans towards white ideology. That being said, I do acknowledge the fact that he is telling the truth when he tells African Americans we have nothing to lose. We have been a democratic voting people for nearly 6 decades and it has not yielded any significant changes. I’m not saying that we as a people should have voted for him but I am saying the person who tells you the truth about yourself or your situation even when it’s not good to hear is useful because then you can plan/act accordingly.
Hopefully it’s a step towards more solidarity in the African-American community. Not because I feel he will do something directly for us but because we all recognize what is happening and that our best option now is really coming together economically more than anything. Other than that, the USA will stay the same.. the 1% will keep 90%+ of the money and the rest will try to do their best.”
Aaron Jackson (CSKA Moscow): “Racism and division will be encouraged”
“I think Donald Trump is a businessman and an entertainmer. In the USA…. that can get you far. He said a lot of things during his campaign. He’s a politician and I don’t know him as a man so I don’t want to jump my opinion on him.
Him becoming president will encourage racism and division. These are the best ingredients to make sure there’s power with which one can rule without any unity to oppose them.”
Bobby Dixon (Fenerbahce): “The USA took many steps back by electing Trump”
“Donald Trump is the face of true America. He is the backlash of having a black president for 8 years. He represents the new Jim Crow 2.0 (“Jim Crow laws” were a series of laws enforcing racial discrimination and segregation). When you can disrespect so many different groups of people and still be elected as president…. what does that tell you?”
I’m not sure how things will evolve with him as president but USA took many steps back. And it’s sad.”
Quincy Miller (Maccabi Tel Aviv): “Trump’s views are absurd at times”
“Donald Trump is an interesting entity. I respect him for getting there, to the race that is, but I don’t respect everything he says. His views are absurd at at times. Hopefully his run goes well for the US’s sake. I’m not sure how things will turn out under Trump. We can only wait for the outcome.”
Chris Singleton (Panathinaikos): “Trump has a chance to correct what he said on the highest level”
“Donald Trump is a business man and his marketing and campaign strategies beat the ones of Hillary Clinton. As it happens with all people, I think you have to give him a chance. He said some things people didn’t like and now he has a chance to correct that on the highest level.”
Justin Dentmon (Galatasaray): “We Americans are blind to the fact that we don’t really have a say on our leaders”
“I don’t really have an opinion on Donald Trump since I don’t really know the man except of what I have seen on the TV and media general. Can’t always judge a book by its cover. And I’m not quick to judge.”
“I think him becoming president is gonna go as planned. I think we as Americans are blind to the fact that we don’t really have a say on who become our leaders. It’s all about the electoral college.”