America Is Raging. Listen to What’s Being Said.
As cities boil over, pleas from sports figures to hear the voices in the streets
By Jason Gay
A humble ask from a sports columnist: Pay attention. Pay attention to what’s happening in America.
Pay attention to what’s happening in the streets, the fire, the chaos, the hearts that are breaking…but also pay attention to the anger.
Hear it. This anger that’s playing out, it isn’t new. It’s built up over years, decades, generations upon generations. It’s foundational.
Listen to what your neighbors are saying. Take in every word.
Also, pay attention to who is listening—and who is just talking over what is being said. See who is taking it in, and who is simply making noise.
Yes: I know I’ll get bombarded with “Stick to sports!” messages, as if sports or any other part of American culture can be magically detached from the real pain people are feeling. I know folks turn to this column for entertainment, or terrible Dad jokes, and I’m grateful for that.
But “stick to sports” feels like a plea to ignore the truth.
Besides, let’s be real, friends: 98% of the time this column is about cats and bikes.
This crisis, it isn’t somebody else’s. It belongs to all of us.
It’s agonizing. And honestly, right now, I think it’s preferable for me to listen to what other people are saying. So here are some words from people around sports:
“You can’t tell me when that man had his knee on my brother’s neck, taking his life away, with his hand in his pocket, that smirk on his face didn’t say, ‘I’m protected,’ ” Stephen Jackson, retired NBA player and friend of George Floyd.
“A lot of us growing up were taught to pray ‘Let thy kingdom come,’ [and] this is what I continue to pray for, in addition to so many that have been hurt/killed, or simply traumatized by how people of a different color are treated. The worst part is this is nothing new, ‘it’s just filmed,’ ” Serena Williams.
“Fifty-four years ago, I was an 8-year-old boy living in rural Kentucky when the schools were desegregated. I walked into a white school where I was not wanted nor welcomed. At that time there were no cellphones to record my treatment, no cable news stations with 24/7 coverage, no social media to record the reality of the situation or offer support nor condemnation. But I can remember exactly how I felt as an 8-year-old child. I felt helpless. I felt as if I was neither seen, nor heard, nor understood. As I have watched the events unfold in the days following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a city where I coached and once called home, I see how many people continue to feel those same feelings—helpless, frustrated, invisible, angry…
“Fifty-four years later, my son is now 8-years-old and I look at the world he is growing up in and wonder, how much has really changed?” Dwane Casey, head coach, Detroit Pistons.
“Just because it isn’t happening to you doesn’t mean it isn’t happening at all,” Naomi Osaka, tennis player.
“I feel like sitting back and being quiet, that’s literally going to solve nothing, so at least get a conversation going. Even if you don’t want to do it publicly, that’s fine, that’s not your venue. But at the same time, you can maybe take what I said and talk about it individually. Even if you disagree with me, why do you disagree? That’s fine if you don’t agree, but at the same time, why don’t you think that those viewpoints are valid?” Brianna Turner, WNBA player.
“There are no more cheeks to turn,” Jaylen Brown, NBA player.
“Many people who broadcast their opinions on [Colin Kaepernick] kneeling or on the hiring of minorities [to NFL senior positions] don’t seem to have an opinion on the recent murders of these young black men and women. I think many of them quietly say that watching George Floyd plead for help is one of the more horrible things they have seen, but it’s said amongst themselves where no one can hear. Broadcasting that opinion clearly is not important enough,” Brian Flores, head coach, Miami Dolphins.
“We need people who aren’t black, we need people who aren’t brown. When you know these things are happening in your society…have a voice, a legitimate one, lock and step with us, protest with us, post with us, not just when it’s convenient, when it can be uncomfortable,” Jalen Rose, retired NBA player ESPN analyst.
“The black community needs our help. They have been unheard for far too long. Open your ears, listen, and speak. This isn’t politics. This is human rights,” Joe Burrow, No. 1 pick, 2020 NFL Draft.
“To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder,” Colin Kaepernick, August 2016.
“Do you understand now? Or is it still blurred to you?” LeBron James, May 27.
“The bottom line is, if you stay home, your messages stays home with you. If you stand for justice and equality, you have an obligation to find the biggest possible megaphone to let your feelings be known,” John Carlos, 2013, talking to Dave Zirin about a potential Olympic boycott, but a message that thoroughly applies today.
That’s all I got right now.
I love you all. Pay attention. Stay safe. Listen.
Posted By: Dea. Ron Gray Sr.
Tuesday, June 9th 2020 at 12:27PM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
