LeBron’s toughest opponent yet? Fatherhood



The public feud between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James shows no signs of dying down after the ESPN personality recently went on a popular basketball podcast to talk about his confrontation with the NBA superstar.

Smith claims LeBron confronted him during a Lakers home game over criticism directed at his son Bronny. Smith maintained, however, that his criticism has always been about LeBron’s role in getting his son into the league.

Bronny needs what every man in a highly competitive field desires: respect.

It is easy to understand why LeBron was upset. He has been the face of the NBA for the better part of 20 years. He is a four-time champion, and many believe he is the greatest basketball player of all time. He has never been in trouble with the law and has maintained a public image as a solid family man throughout his career. Playing on the same team as his son was clearly an important career goal, especially considering he grew up without his father.

One of life’s most valuable lessons is that experiencing scarcity in childhood often drives indulgence in adulthood. For example, people who become successful after growing up poor often give their kids all the toys, clothes, and gifts they didn’t receive. Most people understand this impulse, but that doesn’t change the reality that children who get everything they want can quickly become spoiled and entitled. Parents sometimes make well-intentioned decisions that stunt the development of their children.

Bronny’s challenge

LeBron’s place in NBA history is cemented, but the same cannot be said for his son.

Bronny needs what every man in a highly competitive field desires: respect. It is the one thing his father’s wealth cannot buy. It also cannot be secured through social pressure, coercion, or intimidation. Not even “King James” can bequeath the legacy he’s built in the NBA to his oldest son.

Respect must be earned through a person’s hard work and accomplishment. Without it, Bronny will spend his entire career fighting the perception he’s a privileged kid who took someone’s roster spot. His opponents will use that narrative to get under his skin and try their hardest to embarrass him on the court.

No one is rooting against Bronny, but his path to the league and Lakers leaves sports journalists no choice but to talk about his game and the role his father played in securing him a spot on the roster. It’s hard enough to make the transition to the NBA after one year of college for once-in-a-generation players with physical gifts like Zion Williamson. It’s even harder to make the case that a freshman who averaged five points a game at USC is ready for the professional game.

Parental instincts

But this issue is bigger than basketball. Talking about the confrontation between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith makes for entertaining content, but this entire situation is really about the relationship between fathers and sons.

Sons begin emulating their fathers at a young age. They wear their clothes and mimic their mannerisms. As they get older, some boys go even further by attempting to walk in their father’s professional footsteps. It’s difficult enough for the average kid to do this successfully. The challenge is amplified exponentially when your father is a global icon who has been at the top of his profession for decades.

LeBron and Bronny should’ve sat down with Denzel Washington and his son John David to discuss the challenges of being a son in a superstar father’s shadow. Professional sports and acting are not the same, but Denzel probably would have been criticized if he had pulled his son out of a small community theater where he struggled to memorize his lines and demanded that he receive a role on Broadway.

The elder Washington knows his name and reputation carry a lot of weight. He also likely knows that publicly pulling strings to help his son when it’s clear he is not ready for the big stage would do more harm than good. That’s because men must learn how to stand on their own two feet, which means the parental instinct to protect a child — even when he’s an adult — must be balanced with age-appropriate encouragement toward independence. Children learn this at a young age, which is why they'll eventually turn to their parents and say, “I’ve got this, Mom,” or, “I can do it, Dad.”

The pursuit of independence is the unofficial rite of passage into manhood. Anyone or anything — regardless of how well-intentioned — that interrupts that pursuit does a young man a disservice. No father wants to see his son struggle needlessly, but part of raising children is understanding the role obstacles play in building character.

LeBron James has reigned over the NBA for 20 years, but Bronny will never feel like a king as long as he is treated like a privileged prince in constant need of protection.

Biden to award highest civilian honor to George Soros, Hillary Clinton



President Joe Biden named 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday, including former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and billionaire globalist George Soros.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor that is awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the "prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors," according to the White House press release.

"President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else," the press release reads.

As Biden's presidential term comes to a close, he has also commemorated former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming with the Presidential Citizens Medal on Friday.

Biden praised Clinton for having "made history many times" and Soros for his "global initiatives" that he claims "strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice" around the world.

"Secretary Clinton made history many times over decades in public service, including as the first First Lady elected to the United States Senate." the press release reads. "After serving as Secretary of State, she became the first woman nominated for president by a major United States political party."

"George Soros is an investor, philanthropist, and founder of the Open Society Foundations," the press release reads. "Through his network of foundations, partners and projects in more than 120 countries, Soros has focused on global initiatives that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice."

As Biden's presidential term comes to a close, he has also commemorated former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming with the Presidential Citizens Medal on Friday. Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, sparked controversy throughout her career for voting to impeach then-President Donald Trump and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

Other recipients include actors, athletes, and advocates.

Some philanthropists include celebrity chef José Andrés, the late civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, tech founder and LGBTQ advocate Tim Gill, and billionaire co-founder David M. Rubenstein. Biden is also awarding some former politicians like the late Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, the late U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, as well as the former Michigan governor and Secretary of Housing George W. Romney.

Some figures in pop culture will also be awarded, such as five-time NBA champion Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi, scientist and television personality Bill Nye, and primate researcher Jane Goodall. Other creatives like rock musician Bono, actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, filmmaker George Stevens Jr., as well as fashion icons Ralph Lauren and Anna Wintour will receive the medal.

The awards will be presented on Saturday.

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‘Gladiator II’ is a MAGA metaphor



Hollywood sequels rarely achieve the magic of the original, but “Gladiator II” comes close. Except for the familiar populist framework of a lone man taking on “the system” against all odds, the echoes to the original are sufficiently distant that the new movie feels fresh and original.

Plus, it turns out that Ridley Scott’s blockbuster is a timely, if unwitting, metaphor for Donald Trump’s own sequel, which is off to a better start than his original. This time he won the popular vote and his transition is smoother, most recently featuring Trump’s triumphant trip to Paris, Kash Patel’s appointment to lead the FBI, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s obeisant visit to Mar-a-Lago.

Someday, Hollywood will understand what most Americans already see: Donald Trump is a gladiator for the dream that is America.

This is what Trump’s “revenge” looks like. Compared to a "Gladiator"-inspired populist revolt, it’s both genteel and more satisfying: What red-blooded American viewer doesn’t enjoy seeing Trump arm-wrestling with Macron again and making a nanny-state bully like Trudeau heel, or seeing him appoint bold populists like Patel, Robert Kennedy Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard to lead, and turn upside down, politicized government agencies that sought to do him in?

Ancient Rome has always been both an inspiration and a cautionary tale for America’s leaders. George Washington modeled on Cincinnatus by relinquishing his military power to enhance civilian government, and he frequently quoted the Roman senator Cato, who sacrificed his life in support of the Roman Republic. The Founders chose an eagle as our national symbol — the symbol of the Roman god Jupiter used to represent Roman power.

Both John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams idolized the Roman orator Cicero. More ominously, Abraham Lincoln’s stage-actor assassin John Wilkes Booth played the role of Mark Antony in an 1864 New York City performance of “Julius Caesar,” with his brother Edwin playing Brutus. And as he leaped from the president’s box in Ford’s Theater, Booth shouted “Sic semper tyrannis,” the words attributed to Brutus as he killed Ceasar.

Over the course of our nation’s history, comparisons between the United States and ancient Rome have focused on the fall of Rome as a caution for America. The comparisons range from financial mismanagement to far-flung and overextended military commitments.

Ridley Scott got it wrong

So Roman lessons for the U.S. are nothing new. Ridley Scott, who produced and directed “Gladiator II,” drew parallels between his movie and contemporary American politics in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, but — this is fun! — he’s spectacularly wrong about both.

Scott told the Hollywood Reporter that he modeled the heavy in “Gladiator II” — a creepy, Machiavellian opportunist whom Denzel Washington brings to life — on Donald Trump.

“He evolved into a very rich merchant selling s**t to the Roman armies — food, oil, wine, cloth, weapons, everything,” Scott said. “He maybe had a million men spread around Europe. So he was a billionaire at the time, so why wouldn’t he [have ambitions toward the throne]? ‘Why not me?’ He’s also a gangster – very close to Trump. A clever gangster. He creates chaos, and from chaos he can evolve.”

Is anyone surprised that a Hollywood liberal misses the point about Trump in his own movie? Ridley Scott has it precisely backward: The Trump parallel is not the scheming creature of the Roman political swamp, but the hero, a prince who would not bow to those who sought to crush and kill him. It’s Trump’s rivals, scheming, duplicitous power-seekers seeking to whip up hate, who are whispering in the ear of a non compos mentis leader.

And what ultimately drove the young prince to become the populist leader of Rome? As he approaches the inevitable climactic death match, the gladiator himself reprises the core idea from the first film: “The dream that was Rome.” It’s a fragile dream of a republic that will only be achieved by taking back power from corrupt, weak leaders and scheming politicians.

‘The best revenge’

The gladiator’s speech about Rome applies to contemporary America. It’s about recapturing the American dream and refreshing government of, by, and for the forgotten people — instead of the powerful — the very ideas that bring cheers to a Trump rally.

With that in mind, consider the words ascribed to Marcus Aurelius — words that the film’s hero and villain both quote: “The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury” or “the best revenge is not to be like your enemy.”

Trump’s many enemies, the folks whipping up fear that he will use government power to go after political enemies as the Democrats did to him, misunderstand MAGA “revenge,” as Trump made clear again during his long Sunday interview with Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press.” Government institutions that have been infused with politics and corrupted away from their purpose are not reformed by changing the politics but by purging the politics.

Trump’s revenge is to be different, to empower allies to reveal and reform corruption, and to reduce the power of government over the people instead of expanding it.

Nothing will crush his haters more than being a great president. “I’m really looking to make our country successful,” Trump told Kristen Welker. “I’m not looking to go back into the past. I’m looking to make our country successful. Retribution will be through success. If we can make this country successful, that would be my greatest, that would be such a great achievement. Bring it back.”

Trump’s 2024 victory against all the forces arrayed against him is just the opening act of his sequel. Now the fun really begins. Someday, Hollywood will understand what most Americans already see: Donald Trump is a gladiator for the dream that is America.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published by RealClearPolitics and made available via RealClearWire.

Denzel Washington complains about 'Gladiator II' directors cutting his gay kissing scene — ‘They got chicken’



The highly anticipated “Gladiator II,” starring Denzel Washington in the role of Macrinus hits theaters this Friday.

One person who isn’t excited about the sequel, however, is Jason Whitlock.

His disappointment stems not from the movie itself but rather from what Washington decided to reveal about his role in the film.

“I actually kissed a man in the film but they took it out, they cut it, I think they got chicken. I kissed a guy full on the lips and I guess they weren’t ready for that yet. I killed him about five minutes later. It’s ‘Gladiator.’ It’s the kiss of death,” he said.

 

Shemeka Michelle, who joins Jason on the program, expresses her confusion.

“Over the course of his career, he never did a sex scene or any type of strong kissing out of respect for his wife, … yet you go and kiss a man,” she says, adding that Washington could have easily given his “kiss of death” on the cheek.

“They have to pledge allegiance to the alphabet mafia. … In some form or fashion, they always have to let you know, ‘I don't hate the gays’ or ‘I don't hate the trans. I'm really a friend,’” she tells Jason.

“I think there is a right of passage in Hollywood and in the music and entertainment industry that you have to promote that lifestyle,” Jason agrees. “You can't reach that level of stardom in Hollywood without going through that right of passage.”

As for Washington’s profession of Christianity, Whitlock says he’s skeptical now.

“He's gone his whole career and had a pretty rock-solid reputation, had presented himself as some sort of Christian. I had always questioned it, and now I have the proof,” he says.

Washington could have said, “Hey, you know what? I know that's a big movie, but I'm good. I'm worth 200 million, 300 million, 400 million — whatever. I'm good. I've had enough. I'm not going to kiss a man,” Jason sighs.

To hear more of the conversation, watch the clip above.

Want more from Jason Whitlock?

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Blaze News original: 5 Hollywood actors who are unapologetically Christian



Hollywood is an industry typically known to be secular. However, there are a handful of prominent Hollywood actors who are unapologetically Christian.

This list of Hollywood celebrities who have devout Christian faith features box office stars to critically acclaimed actors to beloved television icons.

These actors deliver messages of hope, discuss their spiritual journey, and proudly stay true to their religious convictions. These Christian actors use their elevated platforms to spread the word of God, even when voicing their support for religion could bring on criticism from their peers and the media.

Some of these world-class actors have gone far beyond proselytizing by headlining family-friendly films and jumpstarting faith-based entertainment projects.

This list of Hollywood actors who are unapologetically Christian will highlight their notable achievements related to their faith and their inspiring messages about religion.

Chris Pratt

  Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Chris Pratt has openly proclaimed, "It's authentic for me to be pro-Christian, pro-Jesus — that's my thing."

Pratt was named the winner of MTV's "Generation Award" in 2018. He delivered a speech with some life advice while accepting the award.

"God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that — I do," Pratt told the audience at the MTV Movie & TV Awards.

The "Jurassic World" star continued, "Learn to pray. It's easy, and it's so good for your soul."

"You have a soul. Be careful with it," he said of another life rule.

"People are going to tell you [that] you’re perfect just the way that you are," Pratt said. "You’re not. You’re imperfect. You always will be, but there is a powerful force that designed you that way, and if you’re willing to accept that, you will have grace. And grace is a gift. And like the freedom that we enjoy in this country, that grace was paid for with somebody else’s blood."

In the same year, Pratt won at the Teen Choice Awards and invoked the name of God during his acceptance speech.

“I want to thank God. I always do that when I’m up on a big platform in front of a bunch of young faces,” Pratt declared. “I love God. That’s my thing, I love him! And you should too!”

Also in 2018, the A-list actor gave an impassioned delivery of the Gospel of Luke at Disneyland's annual Candlelight Processional.

Pratt has gone on the 21-day "Daniel Fast" — which is based upon the prophet Daniel's fasting experiences as recorded in the Bible.

Pratt met his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, at church.

Pratt said of his 2019 wedding with Schwarzenegger, "We became husband and wife in front of God, our families, and those we love. It was intimate, moving, and emotional. We feel so blessed to begin this new chapter of our lives."

Katherine previously said, "[Faith] is a huge part of our relationship and also just a huge part of our lives."

In 2020, the "Jurassic World" actor launched the Indivisible Productions company.

"One nation under God indivisible," he said. "Our mission statement is to create entertaining content, focusing on themes which will help to bridge the growing divide in our country and world. You know, make the world a better place."

The "Guardians of the Galaxy" star responded to online hate by turning to his faith.

"That's the way it is — nothing new," Pratt said in 2023, adding of Jesus Christ: "Two thousand years ago, they hated him too."

He continued, "If I was of this world, they would love me just like that but as it is, I’ve chosen out of this world. That’s John 15:18 through 20."

Joe Rogan said Pratt is "one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life," and he gets attacked because of his Christian faith.

“He’s kind of outside the lines in terms of his ideology, he’s a Christian, and pretty open about it. Because of that, they attack him," Rogan stated.

In March, Pratt wrote an Easter message on Instagram that read: "HE IS RISEN! Happy Easter. He transformed my life. He can transform yours as well. I promise you. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life."

Candace Cameron Bure

  Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Candace Cameron Bure began her acting career as a child and became a household name by starring as D.J. Tanner in "Full House," which debuted in 1987. However, she has more recently been acclaimed for living a genuine Christian lifestyle.

Bure has starred in several family-friendly movies and TV shows, often with faith-based messages.

Candace became a regular on the Hallmark Channel, starring in numerous feel-good holiday movies and in the popular "Aurora Teagarden" mystery series.

Bure has garnered a large Christian audience.

Candace has used her celebrity to promote Christianity through her acting career, promotional appearances, and inspirational biblical messages on social media.

The "Fuller House" actress is also an accomplished author, who has written several books on faith, health, and personal growth.

Bure told BlazeTV host Allie Beth Stuckey, "We started going to church for the first time, and I was sitting in the church and heard a sermon one day, and I really didn't know what it all meant. I just heard if you want Jesus in your heart to be the Lord and Savior over your life, then say this prayer and ask Him into your heart. And so at 12 years old, I did that, and that's when I became a Christian."

She continued, "My prayer life is pretty strong, my conversations with him are very strong. Really, it’s a battle of the mind, a lot of disordered eating is, and so if I pull the Holy Spirit into my mind, and I’m constantly praying and asking God to renew my mind, it helps."

Candace told Stuckey, "I am a devoted Christian, which means that I believe that every human being bears the image of God. Because of that, I am called to love all people, and I do. If you know me, you know that I am a person who loves fiercely and indiscriminately. My heart yearns to build bridges and bring people one step closer to God, to love others well, and to simply be a reflection of God's huge love for all of us."

"If you don’t start with [prayer] there’s no power behind it, because God’s the power. God can do anything, change anything — change hearts. It’s the heart of all of us that need to be changed and that’s where God needs to get in," Bure said on "The Billy Hallowell Podcast."

Bure also stated, "My faith is just my life, it’s a part of it. It naturally flows from me, and I feel like I’ve navigated my entire career differently than most people have. The goal for me isn’t necessarily the next project or making more money or being a bigger star. I’ve always chosen the things that are true to me and that I’ve wanted to do."

Candace added, "I've been an outspoken Christian pretty much my whole life. I love sharing my faith with people, and I haven't always incorporated that in the movies and television shows that I've been in over the last 40 years."

Patricia Heaton

  Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Concordia Summit

Patricia Heaton is an Emmy Award-winning actress best known for her roles in popular sitcoms like "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "The Middle." Heaton is also known for her strong Christian faith and traditional values.

Heaton had a strong Catholic upbringing, which has been a cornerstone of her life.

"My sister is a Dominican nun. My grandparents met Pope John Paul I. My mom was one of 15 children. I have some 100 first cousins on my mom's side," Heaton said. "So, we're a very Catholic family."

The Emmy Award-winning actress is a mother of four and has emphasized the importance of family in her faith-based household.

Heaton said of being Catholic and working in Hollywood, "As much as people want to paint Hollywood as a sort of anti-religious place, I have found that going into work, we're all there to do a job. We're all there to be professional. We all respect each other. We share opinions, different opinions. And because we love each other and we have a common goal of creating something wonderful for people to enjoy, the differences in our religion or politics or whatever, in my experience on a set, have not been a problem."

Throughout her career, Heaton has been unapologetically pro-life and has not shied away from her conservative politics.

In 2020, Heaton slammed Democrats for supporting abortion: "Why would any civilized person want to support a barbaric platform that champions abortion for any reason through all nine months funded by taxpayers?"

During an appearance on the "The Storytellers with Andrew Erwin" podcast, Heaton proclaimed, "God, in His mercy, withheld any success from me because I wanted it too much. [I] really wanted to be famous — acting was the center of my life, as opposed to God being the center of my life, for a long time, and it would have been ruinous for me if I had been successful any earlier than I was."

She continued, "I think it only happened in the timing it did because I was able to center God in my life, and when that happened, I think He knew it was safe for me to start being successful and have all the things that come with that."

Heaton told the Christian Post in 2021, "It's kind of our job here as Christians to certainly extend the love of Christ, the love that He extended to us, to extend it to others through our actions."

She extends that love through her humanitarian work and is an ambassador with World Vision — a "Christian organization that fights poverty and injustice that affects children, families, and communities in nearly 100 countries around the world."

In December 2022, Heaton revealed on the X social media platform that she had read the entire Bible in exactly one year and it was "just revelatory."

She began, "A year in the making. I finally did it!"

Heaton explained, "Some days were just revelatory, I saw things I had never seen before. And some days were kind of a slog. You know just going through it and pushing through. Just feeling like I don't know what any of this is about, mostly Old Testament stuff."

Mark Wahlberg

  Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

Mark Wahlberg has declared that his relationship with God is "the most important part of his life" and his faith in God "is what makes me a better man."

Wahlberg stated in 2013 that his faith is "the most important part of my life," but noted, "I don’t try to push it on anybody and I don’t try to hide it."

In a 2016 interview with Square Mile, Wahlberg declared, "I pray every day and try to go to church every day. My faith in God is what makes me a better man. It's the most important part of my life. I pray that I will live up to my intention to be the best husband and father than I can be. I never would have been able to change my life and have the success and love that I have in my world today without my faith."

During a 2022 appearance on the "Today" show, the "Lone Survivor" actor said of his children, "But even with my faith, I don't force it on them. But they know that dad can’t start the day without being in prayer, can't start the day without reading my Scripture or going to Mass. And hopefully, instead of forcing that on them, they'll say, 'Well, if it works for dad, maybe it'll work for us,' and they'll kind of gravitate towards it on their own."

Wahlberg invested "millions and millions" of his own money into making the faith-based movie "Father Stu," which is based on the true-life story of agnostic Golden Gloves boxer-turned-priest Stuart Long – who goes on a journey from self-destruction and crime to redemption.

Wahlberg said of the religious project, "I'm kind of doing all this not to continue to grow my career, but to utilize my career for good and to do God’s work. If this is a movie that really changes people’s lives and motivates them and inspires them to do great things — you know, all I really gotta do is convert one person, and I get to go through the pearly gates."

The "Ted" actor added, "I feel like this is starting a new chapter for me in that, now, doing things like this [with] real substance can help people. I definitely want to focus on making more. I wouldn’t say necessarily just faith-based content but things that will help people."

Wahlberg — one of Hollywood's biggest box office stars — proclaimed, "Look, I will not hide the fact that I love the Lord and I want to be committed to serving the Lord, but I also don’t jam it down anybody’s throat. But it’s better to never have known God than to deny God. I mean, that’s not a good look. That’s not a good look."

Denzel Washington

  Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFI

Acclaimed Hollywood actor Denzel Washington is the son of a Pentecostal preacher and has been steadfast in his dedication to his Christian faith throughout his illustrious career.

Washington — who has been nominated 10 times for an Academy Award and is a two-time Oscar winner — utilizes his massive platform to share his religious beliefs.

Washington has been an integral part of films that have religious undertones, including "The Book of Eli," "Fences," and "A Journal for Jordan."

"The spirit of God is throughout the film," he said of "A Journal For Jordan." "I have more than one spiritual leader in my life. So there's different people I talk to, and I try to make sure I try to put God first in everything."

In 2021, Washington told the New York Times, "If you don't have a spiritual anchor you'll be easily blown by the wind and you'll be led to depression."

The Oscar-winning actor added, "I'm a God-fearing man. I try not to worry. Fear is contaminated faith."

The "Training Day" star stated, "In heaven, there are going to be two lines, the long line and the short line, and I'm interested in being in the short line."

As Blaze News previously reported in 2021, Washington delivered a speech at "The Better Man Event" — a Christian convention for men.

Washington asked, "What is our role as a man? Strength, leadership, power, authority, guidance, patience are God's gift to us as men. We have to cherish that, not abuse it."

"I hope that the words in my mouth and the meditation of my heart are pleasing in God's sight, but I'm human," he continued. "I'm just like you. What I have will not keep me on this Earth for one more day. Share what you know, inspire who you can, seek advice. If you want to talk to someone, talk to the one that can do something about it. Constantly develop those habits."

In 2020, Washington explained to pastor A.R. Bernard how he experienced a supernatural encounter with God at Bishop Charles E. Blake’s West Angeles Church of God in Christ in the 1980s.

“I went to church with Robert Townsend and when it came time to come down to the altar I said, 'You know this time, I'm just going to go down there and give it up and see what happens.' I went in the prayer room and gave it up and let go and experienced something I've never experienced in my life," he explained. "I remember calling my mother afterwards and asking her, I said, 'Well, you know it felt like I was going up in the air, and my cheeks were filled' and she said, 'Oh no, that's the devil you're purging.'"

"I was filled with the Holy Ghost and it scared me. I said, 'Wait a minute, I didn't want to go this deep, I want to party,'” Washington admitted. "It was a supernatural, once in this lifetime experience that I couldn't completely understand at the time."

Washington delivered a riveting commencement speech to the graduates of Dillard University in 2015.

"Put God first. Put God first in everything you do," Washington declared. "Everything that you think you see in me. Everything that I’ve accomplished, everything that you think I have – and I have a few things. Everything that I have is by the grace of God. Understand that. It’s a gift."

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FACT CHECK: Did Denzel Washington Turn Down $50 Million Deal With Disney?

A post shared on social media purports actor Denzel Washington recently turned down a deal with Disney because they are too “woke.” Denzel Washington is a smart man. Disney is trash now. I hate everything they stand for. pic.twitter.com/92qWpbcbmi — (Jason) Stands For Truth (@TrueJMitchell) April 29, 2024 Verdict: False This claim is inaccurate. Fact […]

Denzel Washington rejects Hollywood's diversity obsession, says it 'shouldn't even be mentioned'



Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington appeared to brush off Hollywood's obsession with diversity in a recent media interview, suggesting the buzzword "shouldn't even be mentioned" when promoting works of art.

The legendary movie star took a decidedly more color-blind approach to arts and entertainment than the one espoused by modern progressive "anti-racism" advocates while discussing his new film, “The Tragedy of Macbeth," which is a stripped-down retelling of the Shakespearean classic.

“Obviously we are diverse, so I think that’s a great thing,” Washington told NBC BLK, a news segment devoted to the African-American perspective, during a roundtable meeting with other media outlets.

But then he added: “You know, in my humble opinion, we ought to be at a place where diversity shouldn’t even be mentioned, like it’s something special. These young kids — black, white, blue, green, or whatever — are highly talented and qualified. So that’s why they’re there.”

Of course, the actor acknowledged the topic of diversity was bound to come up given the film's diverse cast, headlined by Washington. In the Joel Coen-directed film, Washington plays the lead character, Macbeth, a troubled Scottish lord who plots with his wife to murder the king and seize the throne.

But Washington seemed to rebuff society's fixation on race over and above everything else, at times to the detriment of showcasing people's talents and abilities.

Reporting on the news, Newsbusters noted that the actor's words served as a "powerful reminder" of Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech.

During the famous speech, King stated, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Washington, a widely respected American figure, has made countercultural statements in the past.

Early last year, as widespread anti-police sentiment swept the nation, Washington threw his public support behind law enforcement, saying, "I have the utmost respect for what they do, for what our soldiers do, [people] that sacrifice their lives," Washington answered.

"I just don't care for people who put those kind of people down," he continued. "If it weren't for them, we would not have the freedom to complain about what they do."

Then in December, Washington, an outspoken Christian, turned a New York Times interview into a full-throated sermon, explaining that sin is the root cause of all division and lightly suggesting that his interviewer read the Bible to experience how deeply it relates to her life.

Denzel Washington gets emotional talking about the loving legacy his late mother left behind after her recent death



Actor Denzel Washington became visibly emotional during a Wednesday appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" recalling the love his late mother, Lennis Washington, left behind earlier this year.

Lennis passed away in April at the age of 97.

Her obituary stated that she was born in Harlem, New York, in 1924, and would later go on to Marry Rev. Denzel H. Washington Sr. in 1949. The couple raised three children together — daughter Lorice and sons Denzel Jr. and David — and worked as a beautician at the family's Mount Vernon, New York, salon.

What are the details?

A tearful 66-year-old Washington recalled his mother's love during the interview.

“A mother is a son’s first true love," he said. "A son, especially that first son, is a mother’s last true love."

Washington, then becoming tearful, took a lengthy pause and said, “I’m getting choked up. Sorry.”

The award-winning actor tenderly added that his mother was "there for everything."

"And then she went home," he said, later dabbing at his eyes with a tissue.

Washington added that he's not sure if he was his mother's favorite, but that he certainly gave her the hardest time growing up.

"I don't know if I was her favorite, I gave her the hardest time. I can tell you that," he said, and told the audience to show care for their loved ones while they're still able.

 
TONIGHT: Denzel Washington opens up about losing his mother this year, at age 97. #LSSCpic.twitter.com/ODr0kqwlry
— The Late Show (@The Late Show) 1639615073 
 

What else?

Washington made headlines earlier this month when he turned an interview with the New York Times into a Christian sermon.

He told the outlet that he will tirelessly work to honor God for the rest of his days on this earth.

"If you don't have a spiritual anchor you'll be easily blown by the wind and you'll be led to depression," he told the outlet of his time in Hollywood. "I'm a God-fearing man. I try not to worry. Fear is contaminated faith."

Washington went on to conclude the interview by stating that sin is the ultimate cause of division both within ourselves and our communities.

“The enemy is the inner me," he said. "The Bible says in the last days — I don’t know if it’s the last days, it’s not my place to know — but it says we’ll be lovers of ourselves. The No. 1 photograph today is a selfie, ‘Oh, me at the protest.’ ‘Me with the fire.’ ‘Follow me.’ ‘Listen to me.’ We’re living in a time where people are willing to do anything to get followed. What is the long- or short-term effect of too much information? It’s going fast and it can be manipulated, obviously, in a myriad of ways. And people are led like sheep to slaughter.”

He added, “In heaven, there are going to be two lines, the long line and the short line, and I’m interested in being in the short line.”

Denzel Washington turns NYT interview into Christian sermon: 'In heaven, there are going to be two lines, the long line and the short line, and I’m interested in being in the short line'



Actor Denzel Washington, 63, spared no details on his Christian faith during a recent interview with the New York Times.

What are the details?

For a discussion about his latest film, "The Tragedy of Macbeth," Washington told Times interviewer Maureen Dowd that his sole focus for his remaining time on earth is to "attempt to honor" his late grandmother and God by "living the rest of my days in a way that would make her proud."

Washington explained that the rigors of Hollywood — which can often leave its players feeling empty and unfulfilled — don't faze him and that he receives whole fulfillment from above.

"If you don't have a spiritual anchor you'll be easily blown by the wind and you'll be led to depression," he told Dowd.

He later added, "I'm a God-fearing man. I try not to worry. Fear is contaminated faith."

Washington later began proselytizing to Dowd and suggested that she pick up a Bible to discover just how deeply it relates to her life and even download a Christian Bible app.

"Start with the New Testament, because the Old Testament is harder," he advised. "You get caught up in the who-begot-who-begot-who thing."

He also shut down racial division in Hollywood and across the country.

"Hollywood is a street," the actor responded, noting that he has "nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies."

He added, "I live in Los Angeles. I don't live in Hollywood. I don't know what Hollywood thinks. It's not like it's a bunch of people who get together on Tuesdays."

The thespian later concluded the interview by stating that sin is the ultimate cause of division both within ourselves and in our communities.

“The enemy is the inner me," he said. "The Bible says in the last days — I don’t know if it’s the last days, it’s not my place to know — but it says we’ll be lovers of ourselves. The No. 1 photograph today is a selfie, ‘Oh, me at the protest.’ ‘Me with the fire.’ ‘Follow me.’ ‘Listen to me.’ We’re living in a time where people are willing to do anything to get followed. What is the long- or short-term effect of too much information? It’s going fast and it can be manipulated, obviously, in a myriad of ways. And people are led like sheep to slaughter.”

He added, “In heaven, there are going to be two lines, the long line and the short line, and I’m interested in being in the short line.”