Michael Jordan is the latest celebrity of many to finally speak up and use their platform to address the issues that are currently plaguing our society: the unjustified shootings of African Americans and the killings of police officers.
In a post to sports blog, The Undefeated, Jordan says:
As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers. I grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, as I know their pain all too well.
I was raised by parents who taught me to love and respect people regardless of their race or background, so I am saddened and frustrated by the divisive rhetoric and racial tensions that seem to be getting worse as of late. I know this country is better than that, and I can no longer stay silent. We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment AND that police officers – who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all – are respected and supported.
He closes out the post by saying that he is donating $1 million each to the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s newly established Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Michael Jordan has come under a lot of scrutiny in past years for not being very vocal about social issues, especially when the black community spends millions on his Jordan brand annually. But I think his actions here are commendable.
Better late than never.
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