Michael Jordan‘s pedestal position in the Black community cannot be overstated. He’s a 6-time NBA Champion, the origin of the Air Jordan, and has influenced just about every prominent basketball player and rapper there is. For those who are too young to have ever seen Jordan play, they know he stands for excellence, and a tireless, thankless strive to win and overcome odds.
That said, Jordan’s interaction with Black communities in America has always been a sensitive conversation point. There are those that feel that Jordan isn’t doing enough with the money he makes from selling and marketing his $160 shoes to millions of Black people, and hasn’t been vocal enough in the past when Black folks are injured or killed in quests to purchase his oft-limited release sneakers.
Today, Jordan has broken his silence with a statement, given to ESPN’s The Undefeated, a platform dedicated to discussing issues comprised of equal parts race and sports culture. In it, MJ acknowledges his perceived silence, and pleads for an atmosphere in which both issues facing the Black community and the safety and respect of law enforcement can be safely addressed.
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.
