Positive power of social media, I guess!
Basketball legend Michael Jordan has been strongly criticized by the Black Lives Matters movement, for staying silent about the unjust killings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling and countless black men by white cops.
MJ who is notorious for being unwilling to publicly engage on social issues, is now speaking out. For weeks he has not said a word about these killings and the racist treatment of African Americans by the policemen meant to protect them.
However as the call became louder for black people to boycott his best selling Nike Air Jordan sneakers he not only released a statement today [July 25] condemning the treatment of African-Americans by the US legal system but he also armed it with a $2 million donation to civil rights organisations.
Read his statement after the cut
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.
Over the past three decades I have seen up close the dedication of the law enforcement officers who protect me and my family. I have the greatest respect for their sacrifice and service. I also recognize that for many people of color their experiences with law enforcement have been different than mine. I have decided to speak out in the hope that we can come together as Americans, and through peaceful dialogue and education, achieve constructive change.
To support that effort, I am making contributions of $1 million each to two organizations, the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s newly established Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The Institute for Community-Police Relations’ policy and oversight work is focused on building trust and promoting best practices in community policing. My donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the nation’s oldest civil rights law organization, will support its ongoing work in support of reforms that will build trust and respect between communities and law enforcement. Although I know these contributions alone are not enough to solve the problem, I hope the resources will help both organizations make a positive difference.
We are privileged to live in the world’s greatest country – a country that has provided my family and me the greatest of opportunities. The problems we face didn’t happen overnight and they won’t be solved tomorrow, but if we all work together, we can foster greater understanding, positive change and create a more peaceful world for ourselves, our children, our families and our communities.
Over the past week momentum has grown for the boycott of the NBA legend’s products especially the Air Jordans which is a mainstay fashion item within the African American community.
Now that he’s spoken out many feel he’s only done so because he learned of plans being made to boycott his products.
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