Powerful insights from Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images (Dick Gregory in 1963, two years after Hugh Hefner gave him his big break at Chicago’s Playboy Club.) The NBA great and THR columnist met the comedian and activist, who died Saturday at age 84, only once, but the impact lasted a lifetime: “I know the path I want to continue Read More »

Christian Petersen/Getty Images (Colin Kaepernick) The NBA legend, who once faced withering criticism after he converted to Islam and changed his name, argues that NFL players need to step up in solidarity and defend an outspoken black quarterback fighting for social justice and a job. The swirling turmoil around whether or not NFL teams are Read More »

Illustration by Læmeur From ‘Girls Trip’ to ‘Bachelor in Paradise,’ a sobering look at why women “keeping up with the guys” when it comes to boozing backfires by portraying female characters as “insecure and needy.” The success of Wonder Woman may give the impression that this is the Summer of Female Empowerment, with Hollywood firmly leading the Read More »

Courtesy of HBO (Maher); Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images (Abdul-Jabbar) [‘Real Time With Bill Maher’ (Inset: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)] “Intent is important,” writes the NBA great and THR columnist, and the HBO host’s use of the word merely shows poor taste — and it could even raise awareness of today’s race issues. Political comedian Lenny Bruce, who Read More »

Courtesy of ABC (‘Bachelorette’ host Chris Harrison interviewed Rachel Lindsay and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during her suitors’ basketball game.) After writing for THR about ABC’s romance reality franchise, the NBA legend and THR contributor will appear on Monday’s episode to judge Rachel Lindsay’s suitors by their (on court) game. When fans of The Bachelorette watch the May 29 Read More »

Getty The THR columnist opens up about how art made him feel more connected to the world and lists his favorite films that help get him out of a funk. Singer Janis Joplin once said, “On stage I make love to 25,000 people; and then I go home alone.” After several decades of playing basketball Read More »

Illustration by Zohar Lazar New York is the city of “self-made hustlers,” while Los Angeles is the final destination for the “rich and famous,” writes the NBA Hall of Famer. Were they alive today, I’m sure the great thinkers like Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud and Simone de Beauvoir would all agree: Every burning question we Read More »

 The horror hit’s family of “chipper Kellyanne  Conways whitesplaining away racism” reveals the modern face of public bigotry, writes the THR columnist and NBA legend, who recalls his own past as the “Good Negro” of white society. I recently watched the highly entertaining thriller Get Out and the deeply disturbing documentary I Am Not Your Negro. Turns Read More »

The musical is “daring and deserving,” writes the NBA legend and culture critic, but the “bigoted message” of a black man selling out and the “childish notion” of ambition before love disappoints. A recent Saturday Night Live skit depicts two street-tough cops yelling at a handcuffed man they just arrested because he didn’t think La La Land was great. Read More »