ESPN’s site “The Undefeated” pushed the narrative Ryan Lochte is propped up by “white privilege” and failed miserably with their explanation.
The article by ESPN writer Kevin Van Valkenburg, titled “Dear Fellow White People”, lambasted Lochte for having “privilege” after he “exaggerated” details of his altercation at a Rio gas station.
He wrote in part:
Try to imagine, just for a second, what the world’s reaction would be if a black athlete got drunk, urinated in public, destroyed some property, then concocted a story in which he bravely stood up to someone with a gun who was attempting to rob him and his friends.
Then, when his whole story fell apart, ask yourself if it would be brushed off as an example of a “kid” making a relatively harmless mistake or become fodder for countless jokes.
The problem with Valkenburg’s assessment of the situation is that he’s got his facts wrong. It’s now known for a fact that Lochte and his three teammates didn’t destroy anything. That was a story entirely made up by the Brazilian police. (RELATED: REPORT: The Authorities In Brazil Lied About Ryan Lochte‘s Actions)
It’s also known for a fact that money was taken from the four American swimmers at gunpoint, also commonly known as a robbery in the civilized world. One swimmer was also held hostage until he paid a ransom to return to the United States. (RELATED: Brazil Attempted To Hold American Swimmer Hostage For Almost $50,000)
The misguided ESPN author also attempts to draw a comparison between Lochte and gymnast Gabby Douglas, who was criticized for not putting her hand on her heart during the national anthem. (RELATED: Gabby Douglas Apologizes For Not Putting Hand Over Her Heart During National Anthem)
An athlete not respecting the anthem is inappropriate, but it’s not a crisis. American athletes being robbed and held hostage, and then being accused of lying is a serious problem.
Facts matter in the real world, but apparently they don’t matter to ESPN’s Kevin Van Valkenburg.