Read Michael Jordan’s rare public statement about George Floyd’s killing
By Ian Levy
Michael Jordan has taken heat in the past for not being more vocal about issues of social justice. But he’s speaking out on the killing of George Floyd.
Michael Jordan’s reticence about wading into issues of politics and social justice is so well known that a hefty segment of ESPN’s documentary, The Last Dance, was dedicated to unpacking it. In the episode, he said, “I do commend Muhammad Ali for standing up for what he believed in, but I never thought of myself as an activist. I thought of myself as a basketball player. I wasn’t a politician when I was playing my sport, I was focused on my craft. Was that selfish? Probably, but that was where my energy was.”
Jordan is still a global sports icon and still part of the NBA as an owner of the Charlotte Hornets. As protests have swept the nation over the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and the broader issue of racial violence, Jordan used his considerable clout to issue a pointed and emotional statement.
Read Michael Jordan’s statement on the killing of George Floyd:
"“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry. I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration. I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.”“I don’t have the answers, but our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others,” Jordan said. “We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality. We need to continue peaceful expressions against injustice and demand accountability. Our unified voice needs to put pressure on our leaders to change our laws, or else we need to use our vote to create systemic change. Every one of us needs to be part of the solution, and we must work together to ensure justice for all.”My heart goes out to the family of George Floyd and to the countless others whose lives have been brutally and senselessly taken through acts of racism and injustice."
Next. Police violence and racial profiling are part of the NBA’s story too. dark