As protests over the killing of George Floyd escalated into violence during the weekend, former basketball player Michael Jordan empathized with the participants, saying how saddened he was by the whole thing.
Speaking via social media, the man who is considered the greatest basketball player of all time, offered his condolences to the Floyd family and to the “countless others whose lives have been brutally and senselessly taken through acts of racism and injustice.”
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 had had enough.”
The former sportsman further explained that though he didn’t have the answers he believed that “our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others.”
We must listen to each other, show compassion and empathy and never turn our backs on senseless brutality. We need to continue peaceful expressions about injustice and demand accountability.”
He encouraged everyone to use their unified voices to exert pressure on the leaders to change the laws, or they would need to use votes 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”, he wrote.
Michael Jordan joins other celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Ariana Grande, Tyler Perry, Lady Gaga, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Kendrick Sampson in speaking out after George Floyd was killed last week by a white officer who ignored his pleas about not being able to breathe.
See Jordan’s post below:
Statement from Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/lWkZOf1Tmr
— Jordan (@Jumpman23) May 31, 2020
