NBA Player Blasts Warriors Owner For Saying Chinese Genocide “Not A Priority For Me”

By Frenchieinportland - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80846538

Co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, Chamath Palihapitiya, claimed that “nobody cares about what’s happening to the Uyghurs,” who have been targeted by China in horrific human rights abuses. Celtics star Enes Kanter Freedom retorted that people like him “let it happen.”

Palihapitiya made the shocking statement when he participated in a podcast with some of his one percenter friends, including angel investor Jason Calacanis, who said that Biden’s China policy and stance about the genocide of the Uyghurs was “very strong.”

“Let’s be honest, nobody cares about what’s happening to the Uyghurs, OK?” Palihapitiya replied. Calacanis was dumbfounded by the statement, calling his friend’s view on the subject, “disappointing.”

“You bring it up ’cause you really care, and I think that’s nice that you care,” the NBA executive went on. “The rest of us don’t care. I’m just telling you … a very hard, ugly truth, OK? Of all the things that I care about, yes, it is below my line, OK? … It is below my line.” 

The liberal billionaire listed his top concerns as climate change, the nation’s “decrepit health care infrastructure,” and what could happen to our economy if China chooses to invade Taiwan.

However, China reportedly torturing, sexually abusing, and sterilizing an estimated 1 million Uyghurs in “re-education” camps, and using them as slave labor to produce goods sold the United States is below his paygrade. 

“Asking me do I care about a segment of a class of people in another country? Not until we can take care of ourselves will I prioritize them over us,” Palihapitiya continued. 

“Every time I say that I care about the Uyghurs, I’m really just lying if I don’t really care. And so I’d rather not lie to you and tell you the truth. It’s not a priority for me.” 

Human rights activist and Boston Celtics star Enes Kanter Freedom blasted Palihapitiya for his comments.

“When @NBA says we stand for justice, don’t forget there are those who sell their soul for money & business like @chamath the owner of @warriors, who says “Nobody cares about what’s happening to the Uyghurs,” he tweeted on Monday. 

“When genocides happen, it is people like this that let it happen Shame!”

Palihapitiya walked back his comments in a tweet on Monday. “In re-listening to this week’s podcast, I recognize that I come across as lacking empathy,” he wrote. “I acknowledge that entirely.”

“As a refugee, my family fled a country with its own human rights issues so this is something that is very much a part of my lived experience,” the venture capitalist concluded. “To be clear, my belief is that human rights matter, whether in China, the United States, or elsewhere. Full stop.”


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China is our Enemy!
China is our Enemy!
2 years ago

How big of you Chamath. So glad you found empathy, jerk. I’d like to put you up against a wall and play dodge-ball on your head with a basketball. Perhaps after a few direct whacks to you noggin that bounce you head off the non-padded wall I too could find empathy.