As Twitchy reported earlier, billionaire venture capitalist and part-owner of the Golden State Warriors Chamath Palihapitiya did an interview in which he said that no one cares about the Uyghurs and that the United States is no better than China.
The NBA’s been pretty silent on human rights abuses in China, and the Warriors PR department put out a statement today that distanced them from Palihapitiya’s comments without necessarily standing up against China, either.
Warriors statement re: Chamath Palihapitiya: pic.twitter.com/zUl6i9sOve
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) January 17, 2022
“As a limited investor who has no day-to-day operating functions with the Warriors, Mr. Palihapitiya does not speak on behalf of our franchise, and his views certainly don’t reflect those of our organization,” it reads.
A lot of people in the replies sincerely don’t know what the statement is about. What views?
And in 3… 2… 1… "What I said was taken out of context"
— Falconero (@TheFalconero) January 17, 2022
Clean up on Aisle 9, please.
— Happy Warrior (@Consta2tion) January 17, 2022
Warriors trying to carefully balance distancing themselves from an owners statements while also not explicitly stating what they are in disagreement over.
A direct statement about the topic in question might incur a reaction from the CCP.
— CB (@crb0712) January 17, 2022
Well it seems like he speaks on behalf of your franchise considering neither you or the NBA have spoken out against anything. No in fact, most of you just grovel and kiss up to the CCP regularly. Just stop already. He said what you were all thinking.
— Smokee Dokee (@RadBummer) January 17, 2022
“A limited investor”? That’s your excuse? Here’s a wild idea: stop allowing him to “invest” then. I’m sure you can find a decent human being to replace his investment.
— KC White (@kcwhite09) January 17, 2022
Recommended
This is weak. Be brave.
— Saulo Londoño (@SauloLondono) January 17, 2022
Not enough to distance yourself from him. As an organization that always supported human rights, BLM etc, we need to know your position on the oppression of Uyghurs.
— Ammara Essa (@AmmaraEssa) January 17, 2022
https://twitter.com/wildcatmac8/status/1483187149876998147
Which views would those be?
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) January 17, 2022
Reading solely this Warriors statement without having heard Chamath Palihapitiya's comments, you would have no idea it was about the imprisoned Uyghurs in China. https://t.co/Bxc1fHHdk1
— Joseph A. Wulfsohn (@JosephWulfsohn) January 17, 2022
Cool.
So what's the organization's stance on Uyghur human rights?
— Tired Tweeter (@rwsscott) January 17, 2022
Hey @WarriorsPR, can you specify exactly what Chamath was speaking about?
Thanks!
— 悪い🏴 (@HotepWarui) January 17, 2022
Hey Warrior PR team – what exactly did Chamath Palihapitiya say? Your press release was a little vague. Thank you
— JC Barraza (@JCBarraza2) January 17, 2022
What he said was absolutely disgusting but aligns with how the NBA has viewed the issue, like it doesn’t exist. They’re too concerned with losing that Chinese bread!
— Brandon Benefiel (@BenefielBrandon) January 17, 2022
Say the word Uyghur.
— Abigail Marone 🇺🇸 (@abigailmarone) January 17, 2022
What's Steve Kerr's view? He certainly likes to make his views known on other subjects.
— nortouQ (@nortouQ) January 17, 2022
Then let’s hear your views, shall we?
— Kate Tyler (@verykate45) January 17, 2022
OK but while we're on the subject, what exactly *are* the Warriors' organization's beliefs on what's happening in Xinjiang https://t.co/Q5rR8NZWaO
— Jack Dickey (@jackdickey) January 17, 2022
Would the Warriors like to comment on exactly which views of Chamath they don't support or agree with.
— Nada Pro (@NadaPro2) January 17, 2022
Then what are your views? Don’t just tell us he doesn’t speak for the organization. Tell us what the organization’s position is. Let’s hear it.
— Steve W (@stevew78750587) January 17, 2022
If they don’t reflect the views of the organization then why don’t you call out the issue he spoke about? Why don’t you call out the CCP? Now is as good of a time as any
— Chase (@thechasesteve) January 17, 2022
This answers nothing. In fact, the issue isn’t even addressed. What exactly do you NOT support?
— J (@blondieinohio) January 17, 2022
I'm not sure which views are in dispute. Could you clarify?
— Sneed’s Seed & Feed (@formerlychucks2) January 17, 2022
I don't see any condemnation of genocide in this deflection. Where do you stand on it?
— CFO (@GrandpaTMoney) January 17, 2022
— Mr. Bad Example (@JohnSGaynor) January 17, 2022
Partial credit for issuing a statement, but this would have been a perfect opportunity to make the Warriors’ views clear.
* * *
Update:
Palihapitiya has issued a statement of his own, making it clear that human rights matter, full stop:
This response falls below my level of concern.
Nah, man. You didn’t give a shit then, you don’t give a shit now except that you got dragged. https://t.co/Q9w1ozyPu8
— Sean Agnew (@seanagnew) January 18, 2022
The rest of us don’t care about your lame excuse, it’s below our line. https://t.co/lJZlV9cFlm
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) January 18, 2022
Given multiple chances to clarify himself on the podcast itself, he dug his hole ever deeper. All a massive public outcry was able to squeeze out of him is a laconic pseudo-backpedal that doesn't even mention the issue at hand by name. Just affirming what a fucking worm he is. https://t.co/L10CFiiIVD
— Noam Blum (@neontaster) January 18, 2022
Related:
‘Shame!’ Enes Kanter Freedom et al. blister billionaire Warriors part-owner Chamath Palihapitiya for saying he doesn’t give a damn about Uyghur genocide https://t.co/jRDtktGrI9
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 17, 2022
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