Jaylen Brown Asks America A Question In Wake Of Police Brutality
Jaylen Brown, member of the Boston Celtics NBA team, spoke out in a video message today and asked a question of America. His question is, "Does America think that black people and people of color are uncivilized savages and naturally unjust? Or are we products of the environments we participate in?".
As Lafayette copes with the recent officer involved shooting that resulted in the death of Trayford Pellerin, the rest of the country has a major focus on the officer involved shooting of Jacob Blake. This includes athletes like Jaylen Brown, who have strong feelings and a question for America pertaining to the recent police brutality incidents.
The clip of Brown's thoughts was posted to Twitter by Forbes Writer, @chrisgrenham, and you can see it below
Brown begins his statement mentioning the framework that is often placed around incidents that involve people of color and the police. He goes on to explain how the majority of people of color have a history with the police throughout their life. He makes it clear that he believes none of this framework constitutes death, alluding to the case of Jacob Blake.
Brown poses his question, "Does America think that black people and people of color are uncivilized savages and naturally unjust? Or are we products of the environments we participate in?". He goes on to say, "America has proven its answer over and over and over again".
He goes on to explain his feelings, saying that no matter Jacob Blake's criminal history, "...he did not deserve to be shot in the back seven times with the intent to kill".
Brown concludes his statement talking about his personal jersey, which touts #7. "People post my jersey all the time, #7. Every time I look at my jersey now, what I see is a black man being shot seven times. Well, all America sees is his background report. It's easier to see that than the truth".
Jaylen Brown isn't the only professional athlete using his voice to speak out against injustice. Today, the Detroit Lions canceled practice to discuss the police shooting of Jacob Blake. See the below Tweet from @SportsCenter for photos
Long gone are the days of, "shut up and dribble" as it pertains to professional athletes using their place of prominence in America to fight for what they believe in. Personally, I love that these professionals are doing what they can to speak up for those whose voices may not be as loud as their own.