Charles Barkley Says Ferguson Rioters Are Not ‘Real Black People’


Charles Barkley had some harsh words for Ferguson rioters. The basketball star supports the decision of the Darren Wilson grand jury in the Michael Brown shooting case. During an interview with a Philadelphia radio show, Barkley told the host that many black neighborhoods would be the “wild, wild, west” without the help of police officers.

Ferguson rioters who looted stores and burnt down businesses angered Charles Barkley. The 51-year-old former NBA star also revealed during the interview that he feels the testimony presented during the Darren Wilson grand jury supports the decision of the officer to shoot the unarmed Michael Brown.

“There is no excuse for people to be out there burning down people’s businesses, burning down police cars. Those aren’t black people, those are scum bags,” Barkley told Philadelphia’s 97.5 The Fanatic radio show host Mike Missanelli. Barkley also referred to the Mike Brown shooting rioters as “scumbags.” Barkley added, “We can’t pick out certain incidentals that don’t go our way and act like the cops are all bad. Do you know how bad some of these neighborhoods would be if it wasn’t for the cops?”

After retiring from the NBA in 2000, Charles Barkley became a sports commentator. Barkley feels that the media is to blame for at least some of the Ferguson riots and backlash after the Darren Wilson grand jury decision. “The true story came out from the grand jury testimony. I can’t believe anything I hear on television anymore. And that’s why I don’t like talking about race issues with the media anymore. Because they love this stuff, and lead people to jump to conclusions,” Barkley added. “The media shouldn’t do that. They never do that when black people kill each other.”

Charles Barkley’s reaction to the Ferguson riots and the Mike Brown shooting appears to differ greatly from that of other professional athletes. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the St. Louis Rams “Hands Up Don’t Shoot” stunt before the Oakland Raiders game on Sunday sparked controversy. The St. Louis Police Officers Association demanded that the NFL discipline the five Rams players involved, and wanted a public apology – neither happened.

Ferguson shooting protesters gathered near the St. Louis Rams stadium held signs which read, “No Justice, No Football” and “We’re here for Mike Brown,” and “This is what Democracy looks like.” The United States of America is actually not a democracy but a republic. President Barack Obama has been mocked on several occasions for referring to the USA as a democracy during televised speeches.

What do you think about the Charles Barkley Ferguson comments?

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