There was a time when LeBron James’s views on abuses of political power were considered dangerous enough that Donald Trump’s allies told him to shut up and dribble. But over time, James has become less outspoken. After he built a reputation as a voice on social issues and human rights, anti-government protesters in Hong Kong burned his jersey over what they saw as his lack of support for their campaign.
Alongside plenty of other US athletes, he has barely spoken on politics during Trump’s second term in power. There was the recent dismal sight of him promoting a prediction market (although at least he kept his clothes on). Now he is happily associating with – and helping promote – an authoritarian leader.
On Sunday, Angola’s president, João Lourenço, welcomed two of the most famous people in America – James and Will Smith – to his presidential palace. Officially, the two men were in Angola to attend a round of the E1 World Championship, an electric raceboat series featuring celebrity-backed teams. James and Smith are among those who have bought into the series.
According to local media, Lourenço discussed promoting Angola abroad with James and Smith, emphasizing his particular interest in tourism, cinema and basketball. And there are valid reasons to visit and promote Angola. The country appears to be successfully tapping into roots tourism, with celebrities such as Smith and James leading the way.
It has a significant connection to the African diaspora, with some researchers estimating that nearly 45% of enslaved Africans brought to the Americas left from ports in what is now Angola. The government is attempting to draw on this history to establish enduring ties between Angola and African Americans through heritage-based tourism. James, for example, visited the National Museum of Slavery during his trip to Angola, bringing global visibility to this connection.
During his trip, Smith was filmed discussing ways to support the country’s international tourism campaign. As members of the African diaspora, they are trying to help bring back money to a region whose wealth was stripped by slavery and colonialism. But they are also giving soft power to a head of state who oppresses his own people.
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