In the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Nike and LeBron James have found themselves at the center of controversy over an unusual -- and what many on social media have called tone deaf -- tribute attempt: a shoe in the colorway of the site where Dr. King was assassinated.
The LeBron XXIII "Honor the King" takes inspiration from the teal-colored signage of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where Dr. King was shot and killed on April 4, 1968. The word "Equality" is written on the heel and is one of 23 colorways to be released by Nike commemorating moments throughout James' 23-year NBA career. This one in particular is meant to pay homage to LeBron's 51-point performance against the Grizzlies in Memphis on MLK Day in 2008.
But, asSandra E. Garcia wrote in the New York Times, "The assassination represents a painful chapter in the history of the city, one long darkened by a shadow of shame over its role in a national tragedy."
The Lorraine Motel reopened in 1991 as the National Civil Rights Museum, although Garcia reported that the museum did not know about the sneaker until a few days ago.
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