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Athletes Value in Society

Colin Kaepernick was right. The unwarranted killing of unarmed people of color at the hands of the police is out of control. Taking a knee to bring attention to the matter was the right thing to do. Three years later another unarmed African American man is killed over a counterfeit bill discrepancy, and it is caught on camera for the world to see. NFL says, it is now backing the social injustice movement after George Floyd’s death. Athletes are using their voice to effect social change in the United States. Not since the 1960s have we seen athletes vocal on hot button issues dealing with race and ethnicity.

” Colin Kaepernick was right. The unwarranted killing of unarmed people of color at the hands of the police is out of control.

A close friend of George Floyd, former NBA player Stephen Jackson was one of the first players on the ground in Minnesota in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic to support the family and speak publicly. His heart felt speech was powerful and enlightening, telling the story of George Floyd the person. The picture he painted was a very human depiction of a man dying from a knee pressing against his neck for almost nine minutes.

Athletes are finding their voice behind George Floyds murder. Kyrie Irving and Dwight Howard have been outspoken about the notion that NBA players should not finish the season. Notable NBA players have elected not to finish the 2020 season in Orlando. Players are torn on whether they should play or use the basketball platform to push the agenda of equality and justice. Even Michael Jordan has supported the movement against racial injustice, while also donating money to the cause. WNBA players like 

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