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If you’re looking for a Black athlete willing to take the criticism that comes with speaking about the wrongs Black people have been put through in this nation, don’t start with Cam Newton. In an interview with ESPN, the Carolina Panthers QB is kicking the rosey “we’re all the same inside” rhetoric that got him cooked on Twitter recently

Newton was asked for his take on the controversy surrounding Colin Kaepernick’s decision not to stand during the National Anthem in protest of police brutality. The fellow Black quarterback started with a spiel about skin color.

“What I can’t fathom is how does 1/8 of an inch, something so small be the difference in such a big commodity in our whole lifetime, and that’s the thickness of our skin,” said Newton. “And under that, we’re all the same color. And that’s the big picture.”

Right. The thing is, the rest of Cam’s answer was like a boilerplate on how to keep white fans happy and piss off all his Black fans who are woke and tired of the okee doke.

“A lot of scrutiny happens when the athletes start talking about race, but the truth of the matter is we just gotta do right by each other,” said Cam. “No matter what color you are. Certain things that has happened in our life, in our lifetime, is kind of embarrassing to be affiliated with, but it still happens. Who am I to say, Colin you’re wrong. And who am I to say, you’re right. We all have the right to think whatever we want to think.”

True, but in controversies like this one, you gotta pick a side, Cam. And we’d all love to do right be each other, but the fact is that being a darker shade makes can make like significantly more difficult. For example, police killing unarmed Black men and not being held accountable, exactly what Kaepernick is protesting.

But don’t worry, trust that the racists will inevitably pick a side for you.

Photo: ESPN screen cap