For some reason, we're brainwashed to think if you're not a thug or an idiot, you're not black enough. If you go to school, make good grades, speak intelligent, and don't break the law, you're not a good black person.
Charles BarkleyRead
I don't believe professional athletes should be role models. I believe parents should be role models.... It's not like it was when I was growing up. My mom and my grandmother told me how it was going to be. If I didn't like it, they said, Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out. Parents have to take better control.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of parents as role models over professional athletes.
Charles Barkley expresses his belief that the responsibility of being role models should rest with parents rather than professional athletes. He reflects on his upbringing, highlighting the guidance he received from his mother and grandmother, suggesting that modern parents need to take control and provide better examples for their children, rather than relying on public figures to shape youth behavior.
Themes
ParentsRole ModelsResponsibilityGuidanceUpbringing
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the importance of family influence, this quote can be a great way to highlight parental responsibility.
More from Charles Barkley
All quotes βKids are great. That's one of the best things about our business, all the kids you get to meet. It's a shame they have to grow up to be regular people and come to the games and call you names.
Charles BarkleyRead
Kids are born into the situation they're born into, and obviously, they have no control over that. And we, as adults, it's up to us to take care of kids - that's part of your moral responsibility. I always tell people, 'There's two groups we should take care of - old people and young people.'
Charles BarkleyRead
What I told [my teammates] after the game was I'm just fortunate [for] my 16 years because, this [injury] can happen every single night you go out and play... It can be over in one instant, so you should appreciate everyday.
Charles BarkleyRead
I don't believe professional athletes should be role models. I believe parents should be role models.
Charles BarkleyRead
I always laugh when people ask me about rebounding techniques. I've got a technique. It's called just go get the damn ball.
Charles BarkleyRead
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