Here’s Why Gayle King Was 100% Right To Ask About Kobe Bryant’s Legacy, And Snoop Dog Was Wrong
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Gayle King Kobe Bryant : The CBS This Morning anchor (and Oprah’s bestie), Gayle King, has become the target of death threats for mentioning Kobe Bryant’s sexual-assault allegation in a recent interview.
Have we really got to this point?
CBS posted part of Gayle King’s interview with former WNBA star Lisa Leslie online last week.
In the interview, King says Kobe Bryant’s legacy was “complicated.”
She also asks Leslie if Bryant’s legacy had been tainted by the rape allegations against him.
In 2004, Bryant reached an out-of-court settlement with his 19-year old accuser.
He initially lied to investigators and denied having sex with the accuser.
When the officers said they had physical evidence, such as semen, Bryant admitted to having sexual intercourse with her.
He also admitted to strangling during sex, as the accuser had bruises on her neck.
Given the circumstances, I would have asked the same thing.
However, the question enraged Bryant’s fans, who started hurling hate at King on social media.
Rapper Snoop Dogg went to the extreme of calling King a “Funky dog head b**ch…” warning her to “back off b**ch before we come get you.”
I believe Malcolm X said it best, “The most disrespected person in America is the black woman.
The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman.”
So Snoop, why don’t you back off?
Was it wrong for King to ask this question?
No.
And, make no mistake, Generation-Z would agree.
Want to know why Gen-Z has been dubbed “the honest generation?
” Because they want to unveil the truth behind all things. The whole truth. And nothing but the truth.
I believe effective leaders today recognize this, and that’s why Gayle asked the question.
Sixty-five percent of Gen-Zers value knowing what’s going on around them, and they want to be in control.
They’re more comfortable absorbing knowledge online than in more traditional educational institutions.
So, leaders need to ensure they’re not only being authentic and transparent, but the information is readily available online.
They’re also purpose and integrity driven.
Gen-Zers are ethical. They don’t just post about causes they believe in, they put their money where their mouth is.
Sixty-one percent of Gen-Z say they’d pay more for products or services that are produced ethically and sustainably.
And they evaluate brands accordingly. They not only expect their favorite brands to represent their beliefs and values, but also to be authentic and transparent.
Snoop, who are you kidding?
You don’t think the likes of the super-smart Parkland kids, Greta Thunberg and Zendaya weren’t asking the exact same question?
Amongst all the Kobe Bryant praise, you don’t think they noticed the white elephant in the room?
Today, I’m renaming Generation-Z, “Generation Vocal.” They are communicators, and they expect to have a dialogue about important and sensitive issues.
They also believe in the importance of accepting differences in opinions, and unlike other generations, don’t necessarily think you have to break with the system to change the world.
They can interact with institutions that reject their personal values without abandoning those values.
And this, I believe, would be precisely why we need to talk about Kobe Bryant’s rape allegations.
Let me break it down for those who are enraged by Gayle King’s question:
Many people are mourning Kobe Bryant. Me included.
Kobe Bryant will remain a hero to millions of people around the world.
Gayle King has every right to talk about Kobe Bryant’s rape allegations.
Gayle King might well believe Kobe Bryant was a rapist.
Millions of other people around the world might well believe that Kobe Bryant was a rapist.
That’s life. Everyone has a right to their opinion.
Thank you, Gayle King, for addressing the white elephant in the room in the search for the truth.
I’m not surprised that “I stand with Gayle” started trending on Twitter in no time.
#IStandWithGayle.
If we want to celebrate Kobe’s life, I believe we should be celebrating all of his life. Not a fabricated version of his life.
RIP Kobe.
And as for Snoop, don’t worry, I’ll still stream your banging hit Gangster Paradise. Oh wait, that wasn’t you, it was Coolio.
Jeetendr Sehdev is a media personality, international keynote speaker, and the author of the New York Times best-selling book, “The Kim Kardashian Principle: Why Shameless Sells (and How to Do It Right).” He was also named Esquire’s Influencer Of The Year.
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