The world’s greatest basketball player of all time and owner of the Charlotte Hornets, Michael Jordan says he is “deeply troubled” by the recent violence that has taken place in Dallas, Baton Rouge, LA., and Minnesota according to the New York Times on July 25, 2016.
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But it seems that the NBA Legend has a cold head in matters regarding public opinion, as the current state of crisis concerning the shooting of black civilians by police officers has forced Jordan to speak out.
But he said Monday he “can no longer stay silent” on the issue.
Jordan’s statement was a watershed moment for the star athlete who once famously – probably apocryphally – said “Republicans buy sneakers, too” in explaining his reluctance to comment on thorny political issues.
Jordan reflected upon his belief that the United States knows better and that he can not stay silent any longer. “I grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, as I know their pain all too well”, he writes.
“We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment and that police offers – who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all – are respected and supported”.
Jordan’s father, James Jordan, was shot and killed in 1993 at a highway rest area, not long after his son led the Bulls to a third National Basketball Association title.
Jordan says he plans to donate one million dollars each to the NAACP legal defense fund and the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s newly-established institue for community-police relations.
“I have made a decision to speak out in the hope that we can come together as Americans, and through peaceful dialogue and education, achieve constructive change”, he said.
“Although I know these contributions alone are not enough to solve the problems”, writes Jordan, “I hope the resources will help both organizations make a positive difference”.
Most recently, the NBA announced that it was stripping Charlotte, N.C., of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game because of North Carolina’s House Bill 2 – the so-called bathroom bill – which has been called discriminatory against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Previous year in an interview with NPR, fellow NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabaar was vocal in his criticism of Jordan’s approach, saying Jordan chose “commerce over conscience” and adding “you can’t be afraid of losing shoe sales if you’re anxious about your civil and human rights”.
“The problems we face didn’t happen overnight and they won’t be solved tomorrow”, Jordan said.
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“I thought it was brilliant and about time he stepped up”. We are privileged to live in the world’s greatest country – a country that has provided my family and me the greatest of opportunities.
