Carmelo Anthony was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Baltimore, so the day’s prevalent issue of police brutality is nothing new to the Knicks star. That said, it’s likely no coincidence that he’s leading the charge of NBA players looking to create an environment for progressive conversation, debate and problem solving in light of the treacherous atmosphere for the Black community’s relationship with law enforcement recent police killings have created.
Today, while Melo was in Los Angeles meeting with community leaders on the aforementioned issues, Michael Jordan was the topic of widespread conversation. The legendary baller and brand ambassador released a lengthy statement today about police brutality, equality and inclusion, and the racial divides this nation faces. In the past, pundits, writers, social critics, artists and more have suggested that Jordan has been much too quiet on issues that face the very community that spends millions of dollars on his Nike products each year, and that’s a sentiment that Melo addressed in his response to Jordan’s statement.
I thought it was brilliant and about time that he stepped up and said what he said. Because at the end of the day, amongst us, he is our face. He’s an African-American above every powerful African-American, so for him to step up in the midst of these times right now, it was very big on his behalf. And…it’s not always about money and giving back, but for him to step up and put his money where his mouth at, the timing was perfect.
Prior to the Q&A with the media that prompted Melo’s comments, he spoke with the group of leaders to emphasize the fact that it isn’t just young Black people that need to be reached. He mentioned teachers, police officers, and other community members that also need to be the recipient of the call to action.
We want to get youth. We want to get kids. We want to get officers. We want to get teachers. We want to get community leaders, athletes, everybody, having this conversation and talking on both sides, hearing each other out.
