Michael Jordan is fed up when it comes to senseless violence against African Americans at the hands of police officers. So fed up that he took to ESPN’s The Undefeated to pen an open letter on his thoughts regarding the deaths of African American’s by police, and the targeting of police officers by civilians.
“As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers,” Jordan’s letter began. “I grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, as I know their pain all too well.”
Michael Jordan goes on to talk about his upbringing and how he was raised to not have hate in his heart. “ I know this country is better than that, and I can no longer stay silent. We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment AND that police officers – who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all – are respected and supported.”
Jordan has no problem admitting that his experience with police officers, as a famous basketball player, is very different than the experience many regular African Americans face. “I have decided to speak out in the hope that we can come together as Americans, and through peaceful dialogue and education, achieve constructive change.”
Michael Jordan then announces that he will be putting his money where his mouth is by donating $2 million dollars, a million each, to the proper organizations benefiting each cause. “To support that effort, I am making contributions of $1 million each to two organizations, the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s newly established Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The Institute for Community-Police Relations’ policy and oversight work is focused on building trust and promoting best practices in community policing. My donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the nation’s oldest civil rights law organization, will support its ongoing work in support of reforms that will build trust and respect between communities and law enforcement. Although I know these contributions alone are not enough to solve the problem, I hope the resources will help both organizations make a positive difference.”
Read Michael Jordan’s full statement HERE.
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