Two Spirits

and

Oct 7, 2021

∙ Paid

“I am not a role model.”

That defiant declaration in 1993 by then-NBA star Charles Barkley sparked a wave of controversy. An ad designed to sell Nike sneakers broke open a cultural debate about the role of athletes and celebrities in society. Arguably, Barkley’s position was at least partially misunderstood.

“Parents should be role models,” he added in t…

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