# Is Shaun King (Daily Kos writer & Black Lives Matter activist) really white? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 19, 2015, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271 "2015-08-19T16:39:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/181 "2015-08-21T02:03:53Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > A buccal swab. And you genuinely think this group would come through with the 25K without a protracted and nasty court battle that would occupy a great deal of his time? They’re not worth dignifying with a response. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/182 "2015-08-21T02:09:20Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Why should we believe him, over his family members who have stated otherwise? No family member has stated anything except maybe his wife, who has staunchly supported him. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/183 "2015-08-21T02:12:27Z")
> [@camille](#): > > You think that hearsay qualifies as evidence? This isn’t a court of law; the hearsay rules do not apply. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/184 "2015-08-21T02:13:36Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > A buccal swab. There’s no DNA for “black”. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/185 "2015-08-21T02:14:20Z")
> [@Andiethewestie](#): > > **No family member has stated anything** except maybe his wife, who has staunchly supported him. Not true. See the Lemon interview on CNN. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/186 "2015-08-21T02:14:20Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > This isn’t a court of law; the hearsay rules do not apply. Okay, fine. We’ve already seen people on this very page of the thread doubt that these family members even exist. Why should I believe your point of view over theirs? ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/187 "2015-08-21T02:18:40Z")
Since Don Lemon and CNN have been portrayed as the debunkers of King’s claims, it should be noted that Lemon seems in this video to say, if you read between his carefully chosen lines to protect his reputation as a journalist, seems to believe King’s claim and relates how he himself was the product of an adulterous affair and comes within a whisker of saying he personally identifies with King. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7ZsiJzhY8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7ZsiJzhY8) ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/188 "2015-08-21T02:19:37Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Okay, fine. We’ve already seen people on this very page of the thread doubt that these family members even exist. > > Why should I believe your point of view over theirs? Because family members are more believable than an activist with an agenda. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/189 "2015-08-21T02:20:34Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Not true. See the Lemon interview on CNN. You’ll notice that Lemon seems to believe King’s version of events. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7ZsiJzhY8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7ZsiJzhY8) ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/190 "2015-08-21T02:22:55Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Because family members are more believable than an activist with an agenda. “Family members” that you can’t even name, whose exact relationship to King you don’t even know and who’s existence and testimony you’re accepting completely on the word of a reporter who seems to believe King’s version of events over those of said “family members”. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/191 "2015-08-21T02:28:40Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Because family members are more believable than an activist with an agenda. Which is exactly why I believe his wife over Breitbart. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/192 "2015-08-21T02:28:40Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Not true. See the Lemon interview on CNN. Unnamed people? Come on. Do better. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/193 "2015-08-21T02:30:40Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > You’ll notice that Lemon seems to believe King’s version of events. > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7ZsiJzhY8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7ZsiJzhY8) Not really. Don Lemon (paraphrasing, of course): Does it appear that the attack (in high school) was racially motivated? Nothing points that way. Mr. Lemon seems to be doubting King’s account, not believing it. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/194 "2015-08-21T02:33:22Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > “Family members” that you can’t even name, whose exact relationship to King you don’t even know and who’s existence and testimony you’re accepting completely on the word of a reporter who seems to believe King’s version of events over those of said “family members”. But you believe Shaun’s version of events. Why? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/195 "2015-08-21T02:36:16Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Which is exactly why I believe his wife over Breitbart. Be careful before you hang your hat on his wife’s account of anything. Did you read her blog post that someone linked to earlier in this thread? She doesn’t come across as the brightest bulb, either. ---
**Author:** ![camille](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/22d042/32.png) [@camille](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/camille)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/196 "2015-08-21T02:38:22Z")
Does anyone have a link to the Don Lemon interview where he mentions speaking to these family members? I can’t find anything but second hand sources mentioning it. Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/197 "2015-08-21T02:43:00Z")
> [@camille](#): > > Does anyone have a link to the Don Lemon interview where he mentions speaking to these family members? I can’t find anything but second hand sources mentioning it. Is CNN a “second hand source”? > **[Black Lives Matter activist Shaun King addresses race reports | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/20/us/shaun-king-controversy/)** > > Shaun King didn’t mince words in his response to the allegation that he misrepresented his race and passed for black when he’s actually white. King’s high school attack was racial, but it wasn’t a hate crime, a family member told Lemon. King’s family member said the cause of the altercation was about him being a white guy dating a black girl. ---
**Author:** ![camille](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/22d042/32.png) [@camille](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/camille)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/198 "2015-08-21T02:47:09Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Is CNN a “second hand source”? > > [http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/20/us/shaun-king-controversy/](http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/20/us/shaun-king-controversy/) > > King’s high school attack was racial, but it wasn’t a hate crime, a family member told Lemon. King’s family member said the cause of the altercation was about him being a white guy dating a black girl. Thanks, but I saw that earlier. So Lemon never mentioned it directly on his show? ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/199 "2015-08-21T02:47:57Z")
> [@camille](#): > > Does anyone have a link to the Don Lemon interview where he mentions speaking to these family members? I can’t find anything but second hand sources mentioning it. > > Thanks in advance. This is the youtube of Don Lemon and the panel last evening. He’s backtracked somewhat today, but Soledad O’Brien called on twitter for all crap reporting to apologize. > [@](#): > > Soledad O’Brien ‏@soledadobrien 2h2 hours ago > > Soledad O’Brien > > I hope all the “journalists” that did this asinine story the first time apologize to Shaun. In writing. And on TV. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271/200 "2015-08-21T02:50:35Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Be careful before you hang your hat on his wife’s account of anything. Did you read her blog post that someone linked to earlier in this thread? > > She doesn’t come across as the brightest bulb, either. Yeah, you really want me to be basing this off the credibility of the people making the claims? That’s not gonna work out well for Breitbart or his ilk. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shaun-king-daily-kos-writer-black-lives-matter-activist-really-white/728271.md?page=11)