In the jarring aftermath of an ongoing national tragedy, I am using this sports writing platform to exclusively highlight powerful black voices. These are leaders; these are profound and wise athletes, journalists, Americans, and most important, humans. Please listen, learn and empathize.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-05-30/dont-understand-the-protests-what-youre-seeing-is-people-pushed-to-the-edge
Michael Jordan –
Statement from Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/lWkZOf1Tmr
— Jordan (@Jumpman23) May 31, 2020
Stephen A. Smith –
Floyd Mayweather – https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/29252860/floyd-mayweather-pay-george-floyd-funeral-services
Magic Johnson – https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/02/us/magic-johnson-george-floyd-trnd/index.html
LeBron James –
Tiger Woods –
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) June 2, 2020
Stephen Jackson –
Stephen Jackson shared what LeBron told him in response to his powerful words about his friend George Floyd with @MarcJSpearsESPN. pic.twitter.com/DOJ3rECb2e
— ESPN (@espn) June 2, 2020
Bomani Jones –
"For whatever reason, it took this one for some people to get it and damnit, they seem to get it."
— Highly Quarantined (@HQonESPN) June 1, 2020
—@bomani_jones on the new diversity of voices condemning racism and police brutality pic.twitter.com/Fxl6UoXX7w
Jemele Hill –
Notice how in so many of these well, crafted but essentially meaningless corporate statements they fail to assign blame to the police or even mention black people? Performative unity is so very useless.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) June 1, 2020
Shannon Sharpe –
If I’m an American citizen, why should I have to fight for the same rights given to our white counterparts upon birth? I should be able to get healthcare, education, employment just like my counterparts. https://t.co/Irdc4nwkUN
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) June 1, 2020