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Charles Barkley slams Republicans and Dems for fanning racial division to 'keep their grasp on money and power'

The TNT commentator and former NBA star did not take any sides but instead blamed both Democrats and Republicans

TNT commentator and former NBA star Charles Barkley has accused politicians of intentionally fanning flames of racial divide to "keep their grasp on money and power". He did not take any sides but instead blamed both Democrats and Republicans. 

He spoke while covering the NCAA Final Four men's basketball tournament on Saturday and said, "I think most White people and Black people are great people. I really believe that in my heart." He further added that the "system is set up where our politicians, whether they’re Republicans or Democrats, are designed to make us not like each other so they can keep their grasp on money and power," and that they "divide and conquer."

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He even called voters "stupid" for following any politicians as they spend their careers exploiting differences. He said, "Hey, let’s make these people not like each other," and added, "We don’t live in their neighborhoods, we all got money, let’s make the Whites and Blacks not like each other, let’s make rich people and poor people not like each other, let’s scramble the middle class.' I truly believe that in my heart."

This is not the first time the Hall of Famer has spoken about racial divide. Following the death of George Floyd, in May 2020, and the countrywide protests that took place, he had accused professional athletes of turning any talk of racism into a "circus." He had said in an interview in July, "Instead of talking about racial equality, racial justice, and economic justice, we spend all our time worrying about who’s kneeling and not kneeling, what things are being said on buses, what’s being said on jerseys."

He then added, "I think we’re missing the point." His comments have gone viral on Twitter with many reacting to it. One user tweeted, "I used to think this but then one side started getting really cool with white supremacist." Another added, "For the people commenting “one side are white supremacist” and “one side is suppressing voters,” you do understand that is exactly what he is talking about. He’s talking about how each side makes a villain out of the other, and make you people believe it to keep their power. Smh!"

Another user said, "I'm sorry, but only half right. Designed to sound like he's being thoughtful. There's only ONE party embracing white supremacy & hate. ONE party suppressing votes. ONE party attempting a fascist coup. Oh and spoken from a position of privilege. CB isn't waiting 5 hours to vote."

One user however commented, "White supremacy is made to be a much bigger deal than it actually is. Obviously it exists, but it’s such a fringe group of psychos that the media plays up to be much bigger than they are. They want racial division, that’s how they achieve it."

Another user referred to the recent Georgia voters bill that has gained attention and said, "I would love for someone to tell me how showing voter ID is voter suppression. You have to show ID for just about everything in this country, voting should be no different! I also think that most white and people of color get along until politicians get involved!"