Former ESPN D.C. sports reporter Britt McHenry has said she’s having “an awakening” as a vocal conservative, and if her latest tweets and Instagram message are any indication, it’s safe to say she’s “woke,” as the hipsters say these days. Last Friday afternoon, McHenry tweeted:
“If issue (fairly) is divisiveness in the USA, then use celebrity & platform to come together,” McHenry tweeted. “Great leaders meet, not shun invitations to WH.”
McHenry was taking aim at NBA all-star Kevin Durant, who recently told ESPN’s Chris Haynes he wouldn’t be visiting the White House because he doesn’t respect President Donald Trump, “…I don’t agree with what he agrees with, so my voice is going to be heard by not doing that.” ESPN personalities like Stephen A. Smith hailed Durant: "I completely applaud KD; he's absolutely positively on the money."
When Durant got wind of McHenry's tweet, he mocked her by writing “Boo hoo. Sad story, keep tellin me more.”
McHenry then tweeted back: “Ok let’s discuss how a successful man such as yourself can show unity meeting w/ WH just 20 min from PG County,” she wrote. “Your presence can inspire.”
To which Durant responded, but later deleted: “By doing the opposite, I am inspiring more people…”
Clearly wanting to speak more about what was on her mind, McHenry needed more than the 140 characters Twitter allows. Instead, she went to Instagram to dive deeper:
“Listen, I realize our country is divided right now…That’s why I think athletes who are loved and admired by many, should accept an invitation to the White House. They should meet with those they strongly disagree with, express their concerns, and more importantly, be an example for our society that despite growing tension, we can find a way to come together. There is no “support for Trump,” in this belief. I love this country and admire the highest office in this land, despite personal beliefs of who should or shouldn’t hold it. For the next 3 years, we need to find a way to coexist. If our military members can take orders and put their lives on the line for their Commander-in-Chief, the least a superstar athlete can do is meet with them eye-to-eye and express their viewpoint. Yes, I felt the same way about previous athletes skipping the White House. I’m never going to back down in saying what I believe, and neither should any of you.”
Durant’s actions are part of the reason on why there is a divide in this country. It’s called “resistance” – not just resistance against President Donald Trump, but resistance against anything that could or would make progress – like using your platform to spread unity instead of divisiveness.
