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How Stephen Jackson became a voice of Black Lives Matter

The death of a close friend was not what former pro-basketball star Stephen Jackson was expecting on May 25th. Shortly after the news broke of George Floyd’s killing, Jackson went public with the information that Floyd was a “twin” to him.

When he had initially viewed the video, he didn’t immediately recognize Floyd, thinking he was just “another black getting murdered by the police.”

After taking a second look, Jackson came to the crushing realization of the man’s identity. “I haven’t been the same since I seen it,” Jackson told an NBC correspondent on the Today Show.

What initially started off as just “another black getting murdered” has been anything but that. Following the Minneapolis tragedy, thousands upon thousands of Americans have participated in protests — both peaceful and violent — over the course of the past few days. President Trump himself has threatened to bring in the military should the violence continue.

“Floyd would want everybody standing together and fighting for justice, and that’s it. He’s not the type of person to promote violence… What we’re seeing right now, this is not what Floyd would want” Jackson said.

It is quite a defining statement from Jackson, has spoken passionately about the necessity of change: “We need justice, we demand it… we’re going to get it… it has to stop,” he told CNN.

As one of the current leading faces in the public eye, Jackson’s early life had its ups and downs. Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Jackson’s half-brother Donald Buckner died due to head trauma at age 25 after being jumped.

It was an event that shaped him, as Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh alluded to: “You can’t tell me seeing his brother die that way hasn’t had an effect. To me, it’s why he is always coming to the help of his teammates.”

Jackson’s success on the basketball court was nothing short of spectacular, as after leading his high school to a state championship his junior year, he was drafted 42nd overall in the 1997 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns.

His 18-year professional career includes over 12,000 points, a playoff run with the Golden State Warriors in 2006-07, and a world championship in 2003 with the San Antonio Spurs.

 

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Can’t wait to get back in the gym. Getting tired of doing push ups. #WackoJacko

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It is his outspokenness that has made Jackson a profound leader in the current protests. At a quick glance, one could possibly confuse Floyd and Jackson as related.

“I’m here because they’re not gonna demean the character of George Floyd, my twin,” Jackson told a Memphis gathering. “When was murder ever worth it?” he continued “But when it’s a black man, it’s approved.”

Jackson has become a voice that the Black community can rally behind. He is an example that a Black person killed by the police is not just another random victim; they are somebody who matters.

Jackson has become the example of a community member directly involved with the victim; he did not bring himself to a “victim” level, he brought the victims up to his star level.

As he continues to share the words and feelings of his true friend’s death, it is certain that this relationship will serve as the bridge between police victims and true celebrity power. Stephen Jackson is doing something that has rarely been seen before.

As more celebrities and athletes continue to share their support with the Black community, Jackson stands as the pillar uniting all classes.

This is not about status anymore. This is about family, community, and standing up for the rights of the oppressed. As Jackson’s daughter said herself, “Daddy changed the world.”

Marcus Rashford makes sure kids in the UK have access to free food

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is a positive light in a dark time. The 22-year-old English footballer put his case forward for free school meals to be provided for financially-struggling families in the U.K, and now has the government making changes to their own policies.

Rashford’s actions have even caused football leagues to adjust their policies on Black Lives Matter campaigns. It is a fantastic act of humanity in a time of global uncertainty, and Rashford has become another athlete using their platform to make a substantial contribution.

During the earlier months of the pandemic, Rashford was involved in online gaming tournaments for charity. He also reserved Manchester United tickets for workers in the U.K’s National Health Service. Neither of these philanthropic acts would measure up to his next project, however.

 

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All for a good cause fundraising for @unicef_uk. Me and @dhtekkz Vs @danerashford @dwainemaynard 🎮⚽️

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Rashford teamed up with FareShare to provide free school meals for vulnerable children in financially-stricken situations. In May, he made a sizable personal donation of £100,000, raising supermarket interest in the project. On June 11, Rashford announced that the project had reached over 3 million children nationwide.

The numbers kept growing as Tesco, Asda, and Co-op each made their own personal donations. By June 19, more than £20 million had been raised.

“We don’t know how long this is going to go on for, and it’s just something that, if this had happened 10 or 15 years ago, it definitely would have affected myself in the position I was in when I was a kid,” Rashford told Independent U.K.

“It was just something that I thought if there’s a way to try and help people and kids especially then let’s just try and do it.”

Rashford was not content with his progress, though. On June 15, he wrote an open letter to the government calling on them to end child poverty in the United Kingdom. “This is not about politics; this is about humanity,” Rashford wrote.

“Looking at ourselves in the mirror and feeling like we did everything we could to protect those who can’t, for whatever reason or circumstance, protect themselves. Political affiliations aside, can we not all agree that no child should be going to bed hungry?”

Rashford also pushed his letter beyond childhood hunger, addressing the current worldwide racial tensions. He used his own experiences as an example, citing the difference that his community has made in his life. “As a black man from a low-income family in Wythenshawe, Manchester, I could have been just another statistic,” Rashford continued.

“Understand: without the kindness and generosity of the community I had around me, there wouldn’t be the Marcus Rashford you see today: a 22-year old black man lucky enough to make a career playing a game I love.”

The letter set off a flame. The following day, the U.K government announced policy changes regarding the extension of free meals for school children during the summer holidays. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a £120 “COVID Summer Food Fund.”

Families who had previously earned free school meals will now receive a summer voucher worth £15 weekly for the duration of the school break, which will be applicable in nearly all supermarkets. Over one-million children will reportedly receive the benefits. 

Rashford’s actions have given athletes a good name. Alongside Stephen Jackson, LeBron James, and multiple other professional athletes, Rashford is using his compensation and platform to make a community-driven difference. All too often, athletes have been criticized for their lack of judgement and reckless behavior due to fame. Because of what he’s doing, Rashford has provided his cohort of professionals with a sense of goodness. He has reinforced the idea that wealthy athletes can offer more than television entertainment.

Likewise, Rashford has been monumental in the Black Lives Matter campaign by demonstrating the ability to stand up and make a difference. A Black man himself, Rashford has not only been outspoken about the racial issues, but has also demonstrated a level of action.

By using his time and value to help hungry children, Rashford is providing a source of invaluable representation for the Black community. He is showing how it is his decision to assist children and people in need, not the decision of society, and not the decision of pressure.

 

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Just because… @waynerooney ♥️🐐

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Marcus Rashford is an example of true passion in a harboring time. To donate to his charity, visit https://fareshare.org.uk/

5 lessons from ‘8:46’ that reinforce Dave Chappelle is a man of the people

Dave Chappelle’s new stand-up special, 8:46, made a surprise midnight drop last Friday via Netflix’s YouTube channel.

The 27-minute speech had been recorded at a private outdoor venue in Yellow Springs, Ohio a week prior, on June 6. An audience of roughly 100 people watched Chappelle perform his first live stand-up routine in nearly three months.

Sporting an all blacked-out look, Chappelle began his monologue by congratulating young protesters for standing up for something they believed in.

Minutes later, he made passionate comments about George Floyd’s death, frequently mentioning the eight minutes and forty-six seconds that he had been kneeled on by a Minneapolis police officer.

 

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An early look at next week’s cover, “Say Their Names,” by @KadirNelson.

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By the end of the presentation, Chappelle had referenced multiple moments of racial tension including Laura Ingraham’s “shut up and dribble,” and Candace Owen’s criticism of Black Lives Matter.

Chappelle’s special shocked America as it largely strayed away from his typical comedic routines and instead carried a serious and urgent message. The concise and raw monologue was praised for its brutally honest and straightforward direction.

Without further ado, here are 5 takeaways from Dave Chappelle’s powerful special, 8:46.


The streets are talking

During the first few minutes, Chappelle mentions how this is not about celebrities; it is about the streets.

“This is [the] streets talking for themselves” he says.

“They don’t need me right now. I kept my mouth shut. And I’ll still keep my mouth shut.”

Chappelle argues that this is not about celebrities using their platform to advocate for change. It has gone past that. This is now about the people, the streets, the neighborhoods. What is currently happening is them talking. Not Chappelle, not LeBron James, but the streets.

This is partly due to the fact that the victims are everyday people. The victims of police brutality live on the streets, go to the local schools, and endure the taste of everyday life. It is time for these people to have a voice. It is time for these people to exclaim their emotions.

“Does it matter about celebrities? No” Chappelle declares. With Don Lemon questioning why certain celebrities have not been outspoken, Chappelle provided an answer. Celebrities have been speaking for much too long, and it is time for everyday African-Americans to have a voice.


Chappelle is one of the best storytellers ever

One of the best aspects of the special is just how casual it is. It is a relatable conversation spoken in common dialect and tone. Because of this, the message is so powerful.

Chappelle doesn’t speak with a typical “platform-proclamation,” where people of power are delivering carefully rehearsed, risk-free messages. No.

This is a hard, gritty statement coming from a man who is fed up with what has been happening in a supposed-free society.

 

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Normally I wouldn’t show you something so unrefined, I hope you understand.

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He delivers his message in a way that the most ignorant individual would be able to understand just as well as a professional. He makes raw and personable claims, while providing sufficient evidence to verify his words.

At the inception of the speech, Chappelle talked about an earthquake that he endured while in LA in 1993. “This sh*t was terrifying. I made a point not to scream. That earthquake couldn’t have been more than 35 seconds.”

Immediately afterwards, Chappelle explodes:

“This man kneeled on a man’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds! Can you imagine that! He called for his dead mother!”

The stark transition that Chappelle makes from his cannabis-fueled comical story into the heavy topic is nothing short of brilliant. It simultaneously captures the audience’s attention and displays the severity of the situation at hand.

https://twitter.com/WeSideLive/status/1272402590525988864?s=20

This was such an effective speech for a multitude of reasons, but Chappelle’s masterful storytelling ability was the backbone of it all.


Law enforcement has shown a lack of understanding.

Chappelle segues to a point about Chris Dorner, a former African American LAPD officer who was fired for reporting excessive violence on the behalf of his white, female partner. Despite taking every legal measure to get reinstated, Dorner was denied and left jobless.

Tragically, Dorner went on to murder two LAPD officers in their car, and subsequently murdered another officer’s daughter.

Following a manhunt, “no less than 400 police officers” arrived at his whereabouts and terminated him. “You know why 400 cops showed up?” Chappelle asks.

“Because one of their own was murdered. So how the f**k can’t they understand what’s going on in these streets?”

Chappelle brings up a harshly realistic point. Assaulting, murdering, or otherwise harming a hair on the head of a police officer is similar to signing a death warrant. That is a proven fact everywhere in this country.

Yet, law enforcement cannot seem to understand why African Americans and white and non-black people of color revolt following another innocent death. This points out a fundamental flaw in the law enforcement system, and Chappelle used his relatable words to enunciate it.


Kobe saved the world, and LeBron didn’t give in

Following the note of law enforcement’s ignorance, Chappelle transitioned to talk about Laura Ingraham’s infamous comments towards basketball players.

“Laura Ingraham told one of Ohio’s greatest residents ever ‘shut up and dribble’” Chappelle said.

“He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated when he was 17 years old, and exceeded every expectation that they had for him.”

 

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Can’t let this one slide! 🤷🏾‍♂️😉. #JamesGang👑 #Toosieslide @champagnepapi

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Chappelle continues to mention Lebron’s role as a family man, and how he has yet to let anybody down.

The fact that he was told off by a “news” reporter is absurd, and while less severe in nature, it relates to Floyd’s killing today. Neither LeBron nor George Floyd was held up to their respective standards, and it was because of their skin color.

Chappelle mentioned another basketball icon, the late, great Kobe Bryant. He felt that Kobe saved the United States from being doomed.

The night in 2016 that nine police officers were killed “felt like the end of the world.” And the only reason it wasn’t the end of the world, in Chappelle’s opinion, was at the very same time that was happening, Kobe Bryant was playing his last game as a Laker.

“I kept flipping back as Kobe was dropping 60. And he did. I saw him dribbling and saving this goddamn country from itself,” Chappelle said.

Kobe Bryant positively distracted the world from a tragic killing by representing himself and his team with class. Like many other professional athletes, that was one of Kobe’s greatest qualities.

It is also a reason as to why the NBA’s return is necessary. The league’s return is a sense of peace for people. More importantly, it gives African-American athletes a sense of representation for themselves and their communities.


“We didn’t choose George Floyd, you did”

One of the most thought-provoking moments of the speech is when Chappelle mentions Candace Owen’s statement of George Floyd’s “rap record.” Owens mentioned multiple negative qualities about Floyd; ie. drugs, thief, etc. “He’s not a hero, and why does the black community make him a hero?”Chappelle imitated.

Then the bomb went off.

“We didn’t choose him, you did! They killed him, and that wasn’t right, so he’s the guy.”

This is possibly Chappelle’s strongest point in the entire monologue. Owens and other people have questioned why the African American community has chosen George Floyd as a hero. Chappelle answered.

The community did not choose him; he was killed. The community did not want this to happen. They are standing up for their fallen brother, their innocent victim. They chose to fight for his life, not to praise his misdemeanors. Chappelle’s point shows how unacceptable the death of innocent civilians is.

Instead of allowing it, the African American community has chosen to fight for the fallen lives. This is true power. This is love for one another. This is the fight for equality.

James Conner’s story is the inspiration we all need to push through right now

“You just don’t run across individuals like him very often, whether in football or otherwise. . . his character, his personality, his smile, his courage; this is someone I would want in my locker room,” said Dr. Stanley Marks, Chairman of the University of Pittsburgh MC Cancer Center.

“During the course of his treatments, he would routinely walk around and talk to other patients and try to give them hope and inspiration.”

Dr. Marks was talking about James Conner, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back with a tremendously emotional story. Conner has faced an immense amount of adversity in his young life, much of which has been revealed to the public. His autobiographical book, Fear is a Choice, releases today, and chronicles the journey from his perspective.

James Conner has become a household name in Pittsburgh, but his story should be known everywhere. He has encountered some of the tallest hurdles that life can throw, and time and time again he has prevailed.

Sports are such an important part of culture but the athletes that play them vary in such great ways. Some athletes milk their talent without breaking a sweat, while others work for years to get an opportunity.

Some sail smoothly straight to the pros, and others can’t seem to catch a break. James Conner’s story is an emotional demonstration of the power of human life; he is an inspiring figure whose name should signify perseverance in every household.

James Earl Conner was raised by his parents, Kelly Patterson and Glen Conner Sr., in Erie, Pennsylvania. He attended McDowell High School, where he rushed for 1,680 yards and 26 touchdowns his senior year. He committed to play collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh.

 

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“Lol”

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Conner rushed for a team-high 799 yards and 8 touchdowns his freshman year and broke Tony Dorsett’s school record for most rushing yards in a bowl game with 229 against Bowling Green.

His sophomore year Conner’s success continued as he rushed for 1,765 yards and set an ACC record with 26 rushing touchdowns. He was named ACC player of the year and earned AFCA first-team All American honors.

Tragedy struck the following year. Conner tore his MCL in the Panthers’ season opener, ending the season before it had even begun. “I cried like a baby,” Conner told NFL Network. “You work so hard, and the season is taken from you just like that. It’s tough.”

During his rehab process, Conner was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, cancer of the lymph nodes. Conner had a 14-centimeter tumor surrounding his heart. “Without treatment, this could have been fatal,” Dr. Marks said.

Conner immediately started aggressive chemotherapy, enduring 12 total sessions. The process was grueling, to say the least. A mix of vomit, painful tubing and red urine were just some of the treatment’s effects.

There was an emotional toll on Conner as well. “I’m not going to say that I wanted to die right before receiving treatment six, because I wasn’t ready to leave this earth. But I definitely remember sitting in that green leather hospital chair, waiting for the nurse to mix up the chemo batch, and thinking, I do not want to be here right now. I wanted to get away, away from … everything.”

Throughout the ordeal, Conner’s loved ones never lost faith in him. “I’ve dealt with it and I know how to deal with it,” said Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi, who lost his own father to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. “ You know he’s a fighter, he ain’t getting knocked, he’s gonna make it.”

“It’s important for anybody who’s dealing with cancer not to go through it alone,” Conner said of his teammates. “These boys never left my side… 4 in the morning I’ll call any one of them if I needed to, and they’d be knocking at the door… this is family, man.”

Conner’s fortune took a turn for the better on May 23rd, 2016, when he announced that he was cancer-free.

Conner rebounded during the 2016 season, rushing for 1,092 yards and 16 touchdowns. NFL scouts noticed his performance, as he became a hot topic pre-draft.

Just three months after being diagnosed cancer-free, Conner had added another thousand-yard season to his resumé and fortified his future potential on the professional side.

 

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keep tellin myself keep goin..

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Good things continued to come his way when he was drafted by his hometown Steelers 105th overall in the 2017 NFL draft.

He had been predicted to be a fifth or sixth-round pick pre-draft, with Sports Illustrated even ranking him as the 12th best running back. Conner was drafted in the third round.

“It was the best day ever. It was a hard road to get there. For me to finally accomplish my dream, it was a blessing” Conner told NBC.

Following another MCL injury during his rookie season with Pittsburgh, Conner exploded onto the scene with 973 yards and 13 total touchdowns the following year. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October of 2018 and was selected to the 2019 Pro Bowl as a starter.

https://twitter.com/SteelBlitzburgh/status/1070709872889683968

Conner handed in another solid season in 2019, garnering 715 scrimmage yards and 7 total touchdowns despite a turmoil situation at the quarterback position.

He will never forget his text messages exchanged with Eric Berry, the former Chiefs safety who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December 2014.

“We had like a 30-minute conversation and he just gave me the whole rundown of what to expect, because that was before any treatments,” Connor said of his first conversation with Berry. The two continued to share text messages throughout Conner’s treatment.

“We share stories. We know exactly what it’s like,” Conner continued to ABC. “It just goes to show with a strong mindset you can still achieve your dreams. It’s a mental fight. We have a tough task playing in the NFL. We just try to be an inspiration to others.”

And it is in inspiration to us all to encounter the story of James Conner. The fortitude, resilience, and drive that he showed throughout his MCL injury, cancer treatment, and eventual rebound to his childhood dream-team is awe-inspiring.

It is not every day that the off-field stories of athletes are adamantly displayed. And when they are, it often involves legal issues, media-generated controversy, or financial troubles.

The fact that James Conner’s story is widely shared is a blessing for all. The tribulations that this young man endured represent a source of inspiration for all of us.

 

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Blessing to be a blessing.. Bought my pops a car he was too hype 😂🙏🏽💪🏽

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To hear it from the man himself, pick up James Conner’s new book, Fear is a Choice, out now. 

John David Washington is Hollywood’s best example of perseverance

“There were some times I couldn’t get up out of bed,” John David Washington said.

“Even if I break something, I am not going to say nothing to nobody until this thing gets done.” Speaking to Esquire, he described just how physically ravaging the filming for his next project had been.

The upcoming Christopher Nolan thriller, Tenet, required Washington to participate in day after day of physical exertion. It takes a special type of commitment to endure that: “Oh, I will die for this” Washington said.

It comes as a point of interest that only a few years ago, Washington didn’t have any mainstream content or feature films to his name. And even a few years earlier, Washington suffered a career-ending injury that throttled him out of the National Football League.

Given that he was largely living in his parents’ shadow and was trying to make the rare leap as a leading Black actor, the waters seemed murky for Washington.

 

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🙏🏾 – – #denzelwashington #paulettewashington #johndavidwashington

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None of that stopped him. Today, Washington holds a leading role in an upcoming revolutionary spy thriller, has posed for countless magazine covers, and has earned a Golden Globe nomination for his brilliant work in a Spike Lee historical classic.

He has done this all at the young age of 35. There is more to his story than just a successful breakthrough, though. John David Washington’s life has been an example of perseverance and persistence that few actors have experienced.

Following the failure in other fields, he pursued his true passion in life, regardless of what his parents or society told him.

Furthermore, he serves as a form of representation for African-Americans as leading men on film and has established this as a universal trait. He has done this all through much adversity and is an inspiration for the possibilities that one’s desire can bring them.

John David Washington, or “JD” as he went by in school, was raised in Los Angeles by Denzel and Pauletta Washington along with four younger siblings.

According to EsquireJD was a sports fanatic growing up. He barely even mentioned acting and went on to letter in football, basketball, and track in high school.

Despite the athleticism, Washington had a minor appearance as a student in Spike Lee’s 1992 feature Malcolm X, in which his father starred. This was one of many exposures to the brilliance and talent of his father, something that would discourage many children.

Racism was something that JD encountered in his young life. “Of course I’ve felt racism,” he told VultureHe had been called the “N-word” while spending summers with his family in North Carolina, among other incidents.

Despite being the son of such a successful and influential man, racism was something that not even John David could escape. It did not discourage him though, and he took pride in his Black heritage in school.

“Man, I had cornrows, and when I picked ’em out, certain people that didn’t look like me always wanted to touch ’em” he said. ““One time, I just said, ‘Yo, hell no.”

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Washington was a star athlete while attending Morehouse College. As a senior, he led his football team 1,198 rushing yards, setting a school record in the process. He also holds Morehouse single game and career rushing records.

After going undrafted in the 2006 NFL draft, Washington signed with the St. Louis Rams serving a brief stint as a backup running back. He also played for NFL Europe and the United Football League, never seeming to find the success he wanted with either.

While performing explosive-training work during the 2013 offseason, he suffered a gruesome Achilles injury, instantly ending his athletic career.

“A part of me felt like it got shot and killed, it got assassinated. All of that was fear-based, of not knowing if what I thought was my destiny, if I’m even worthy enough to claim it,” JD told Esquire. “It was time to go up on stage.”

Despite keeping acting as a backup plan for all of these years, Washington was going to make a run for it.

Washington’s first acting gig came in 2015 as a supporting role in HBO drama series Ballers. He played a competitive NFL player alongside Dwayne Johnson and Rob Corddry. The series received generally positive reviews and went on to stream until 2019.

Following his time there, JD had leading roles in the 2017 and 2018 films Love Beats Rhyme and Monsters and Men. Both films were on-demand releases, and while he had not yet blown up, Washington was at least getting some experience.

Then came the infamous call. He was in his hotel room when it happened. “Yo, this is Spike, call me,” said the message on his voicemail.

The director instructed Washington to read the true story of Ron Stallworth, an African-American police officer who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. A few days later, Lee offered him the part, and Washington agreed. “All right, see you this summer,” Lee said.

To be a leading actor in a Spike Lee feature film is pretty much a lottery, much less for somebody who has a limited acting resumé. Yes, Spike knew JD’s father, having worked with him in Malcolm X. However, Lee was taking just as big a risk on JD as it sounded like.

A historical film involving events surrounding the Ku Klux Klan would be controversial in some aspects, to say the absolute least. JD, however, didn’t have to think twice about it.

Not only would he have a chance to star in a hundred-million-dollar film, but he had the chance to tell an important historical story and educate people about the dangers of racism. He would later a Golden Globe nomination for his work.

Washington will star in Tenet, an upcoming spy thriller direct by Christopher Nolan. The film is an enormous risk for Nolan, whose last film release was 2017’s Dunkirk. The film has an estimated budget of $205 million, making it Nolan’s most expensive non-franchise film, and one of the priciest original films ever made.

Along with this, the film lacks the box-office star power of a Leonardo DiCaprio or Brad Pitt, instead helming JD alongside Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, and Kenneth Branagh. It doesn’t have the “instant-pull” that many of these box-office stars contain, and because of this, it can be a financial concern.

Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic limits the number of theaters and seats that can be open at its July 17 release. This is an enormous financial risk for the Warner Bros. studio, but putting their faith in Nolan has proven to be wise in the past, as his films have generated $4.7 billion worldwide and have received 34 Oscar nominations.

Tenet, however, has the potential to do something greater than financial earnings; it can be a success in terms of representation for Washington and a step forwards for equality in America. In terms of universalism, having a Black leading actor is something that Nolan has never done before.

In each of his ten previous films, he has had a white male lead, the majority of them being British like him. With John David Washington starring, the African-American population gains a mode of representation on the big screen across multiple countries.

Nolan’s films are extremely successful in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom, and with Tenet, in particular, India, Estonia, and other several foreign countries will have an incentive to watch since they were all used as film locations.

What Nolan is doing is nothing short of genius, and he had the courage to cast a relatively unknown, young, African-American actor in the leading role. John David Washington has the opportunity to spread the representation and universalism of Black leading actors, and to give America a colored on-screen actor to rally behind in the country’s time of distress.

Most importantly, though, John David Washington is demonstrating how one can be successful following their own dreams: not those of their parents, nor society, but what they truly want to do. JD did not let his parents pressure him into making a decision; he decided the career path was his own following the athletic setback.

At the same time, society would tell him not to bother being an African-American leading actor, much less to star in a Christopher Nolan film. Once again, JD proved them wrong. This story is so important for those who do not know how to follow their dreams or even those who do not have a place in society.

Through tribulations, hard work, and a bit of risk, John David Washington was able to become a leading figure in Hollywood. His story shows an immense amount of perseverance, passion, and guts.

The next time you are unsure about yourself, realize that whatever you want is possible. It could very well turn into a story that others find inspirational.

The NBA is coming back, but what will it be like in this new reality?

The league of superstars is back.

NBA representatives and the NBPA announced the league’s decision to resume action with a 22-team plan on Friday.

The NBA league’s owners approved the decision to finish the remainder of the 2019-2020 season at Disney World in Orlando. Then the player’s association unanimously agreed on the plan on Friday for the NBA to resume action on July 31.

The WNBA is also in the process of configuring a 22-game regular season, according to ESPN. The season would likely start on July 24 with the league playing at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Players have not yet agreed to a proposal, as talks are still ongoing.

WNBA executive director Terri Jackson said that “No decisions have been made” and that “players are considering all their options.”

The WNBA season was supposed to begin on May 16 with a 36-game regular season, but play was postponed due to the coronavirus. Player feedback will continue to be gathered in the coming days as executive personnel comes to make a decision.

In a statement addressing the NBA’s decision to continue to play, league commissioner Adam Silver said this:

“The Board’s approval of the restart format is a necessary step toward resuming the NBA season. While the COVID-19 pandemic presents formidable challenges, we are hopeful of finishing the season in a safe and responsible manner based on strict protocols now being finalized with public health officials and medical experts.”

He continued on to address the current racial protests: “our society is reeling from recent tragedies of racial violence and injustice, and we will continue to work closely with our teams and players to use our collective resources and influence to address these issues in very real and concrete ways.”

NBPA leadership was informed of a plan that will keep 1,600 people in the Orlando bubble at all times, sources told ESPN. Approximately three family members will be allowed to join players in Orlando during the playoffs.

Michele Roberts, executive director of the NBAPA, noted that starting dates for the 2020-2021 season will likely be delayed. Changes to the league schedule will also allow players to participate in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

In terms of safety aspects, the NBA will be conducting nightly coronavirus testing in Orlando using lighter medical swabs than the widespread version currently being used.

According to The Athletic, a positive test for a player will result in a seven-day self-isolation quarantine. League play will continue even if a player tests positive, with isolation and other precautions taken.

Players outside of the United States will return to their home market on June 15, followed by all players returning on June 21. Coronavirus testing will begin the next day, and within a week, team training camps will commence.

All teams will travel to Orlando on July 7, and the first games will begin on July 31. Teams are expected to play an abbreviated version of the regular season with eight exhibition games, with a play-in tournament for the eighth seed in both conferences.

The playoffs will be a best-of-seven series in each round, and the finals will conclude no later than October 12.

This is a large step forwards for American culture. The coronavirus shut down nearly every aspect of social connection, including athletics, theater chains, restaurants, and jobs.

Athletics are such an important part of culture because they serve as communities in themselves; regardless of time zone or location, a population can connect with one another through the mutual appreciation of the event.

Being televised, league play will also open the door for advertisements, allowing restaurants, film studios, and material products to help jump-start the economy.

The re-emergence of professional basketball is also important for racial representation and influence. The NBA carries many American-American athletes who influence not only those directly watching but also the (often minority) kids and parents who are struggling to find a place of belonging in the country today.

LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, and countless other African-American players compete with pride every time they play in a televised game.

They show the African-American community that it is okay to speak out about larger issues such as racial injustice and issues outside of the realm of their expertise.

NBA superstars aren’t just helping the cause by releasing statements and twitter phrases; they give a sense and representation every time that the cameras broadcast them to the world.

It is a joy to hear the plan for the NBA to resume action, and America looks forward to tuning in on July 31 when play returns in Orlando.

White privilege shaped Drew Brees’ comments. Here’s why it’s bigger than football.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees made controversial comments Wednesday when he shared his opinion on kneeling during the National Anthem.

In an interview with Yahoo Finance, Brees made a statement answering a question regarding Colin Kaepernick’s 2016 protest of police brutality against minorities by saying, “will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America.”

Brees’ comments generated widespread disapproval across the sports world, including replies from Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, and other Saints teammates Michael Thomas, Demario Davis, Malcolm Jenkins, and Alvin Kamara.

Jenkins, in particular, had harsh words for Brees in a since-deleted video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljO-TXjk3-Y

“Our communities are under siege. And what you’re telling us is don’t ask for help that way. Ask for it a different way. And it’s unfortunate because I considered you a friend. I looked up to you. You’re somebody who I had a great deal of respect for. But sometimes you should shut the f**k up,” Jenkins said.

Michael Thomas also had a pair of Twitter statements for his quarterback:

https://twitter.com/Cantguardmike/status/1268220772046307333

https://twitter.com/Cantguardmike/status/1268224561008574465

Brees’ comments clearly come from a place of passion, as he mentions how the National Anthem reminds him of his two grandfathers who served in the armed forces during World War II.

“In many cases, it brings me to thinking about all that has been sacrificed, and not just in the military, but for that matter, those throughout the Civil Rights movements of the ’60s, and all that has been endured by so many people up to this point,” Brees said.

While Brees’ comments regarding his grandfathers are valid and come from a true place of passion it, unfortunately, raises the problem of white privilege within the NFL community. This made him naive to the issues around him, especially those generated by the recent deaths and protest movements.

By refusing to acknowledge the necessary aspects of Kaepernick’s protests in his initial comments, Brees, unfortunately, displays a level of ignorance towards the country’s current pain, which is very susceptible to backlash and controversy.

He shows that the best, most outspoken figures in the sports world are victim to white privilege, and do not understand the issues at hand.

https://twitter.com/DougBaldwinJr/status/1268276006831316992

White privilege is an issue that has affected sports for quite some time. According to David J. Leonard, author of Playing While White: Privilege and Power on and off the Field, white athletes are profiled as intelligent leaders, hard workers, and role models while colored athletes do not receive the same diagnosis.

“Sports, like America itself, is a place where race matters,” Leonard says. “It is a place where anti-black racism is ubiquitous, from the press box to the coach’s office, from the stands to the White House. It is also a place where the privileges of whiteness are a commonplace” he concludes.

These statements are all-too-familiar in the modern-day. Tim Tebow, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees are three of many athletes to be considered “household role models.”

Their Black teammates are constantly regarded as “naturally gifted,” “ungrateful with money,” and of course, “a liability.” Black athletes are rarely recognized for their hard work and passion of the sport, and instead labeled as “naturals.”

It is unfortunate that these stereotypes are not the current main issues, with us instead of having to address the murder of innocent Black men and women first. As society continues to deal with these tragedies, the privilege of white athletes will continue.

This extends past Drew Brees and into multiple star athletes today. Leonard continues his piece making an example of Tom Brady, an athlete who shares much of the privilege and social status that Brees does. “The story of Brady is the story of whiteness, of advantages and systematically produced opportunities,” Leonard says.

Similar to Brady, Brees fell out of the first round and had to “work his way” up to a starting job. Black athletes are rarely recognized with this work ethic and instead headlined with their natural gifts and police mugshots.

“White privilege is also the celebration of Bill Belichick’s hoodie as African-American youths are seen as criminals and ‘thugs’ for their similar clothing choices” Leonard continues. “It is ‘Gronk being Gronk,” while any denounced Black athletes are denounced as “selfish and out of control.”

Brees has especially profound responsibility to recognize his privilege coming from the city of New Orleans. It is a city with a majority Black population, one of the few in the United States. Furthermore, the Saints football team is an icon for the population.

Kids go to school wearing Saints hoodies, imitating Brees’s signature throws on the recess field. Representing this city, he has a clear responsibility to be something more; to recognize his privilege, and use it to shut out the assumptions and stereotypes surrounding the Black population.

Thursday morning, Brees publicly apologized for his comments. In an Instagram post, he apologized to his friends, teammates, the city of New Orleans, and the black community for his previous comments.

“In speaking with some of you, it breaks my heart to know the pain I’ve caused,” he says. “I stand with the black community in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality and support the creation of real policy change that will make a difference. I condemn the years of oppression that have taken place throughout our black communities and still exists today.”

Following his comments, several of his teammates expressed their forgiveness, notably Alvin Kamara. “It’s time for us to be part of the solution, not the problem” he exclaimed on Twitter. “We have to educate to progress.”

Thankfully, Brees seems to understand his wrongdoing. While he was not intentionally trying to disrespect anybody, his comments showed a level of naiveness and ignorance that is affecting American culture today.

White privilege is a reality, and it is most dangerous to those who do not know that they exhibit it. The best way to combat it is to spread the word, spread awareness, and peacefully educate those who lack the knowledge.

While Drew Brees and other athletes have a distinct platform for their actions, it starts with all of us. We can make a difference, we just have to reach out.