– when in uniform
these players, despite their millions, still live and work in a country taut with racial tension. Fans sometimes think they’re little more than shiny sports ornaments.
‘‘They only see them as providing entertainment,’’ Boyd said. ‘‘There is a lack of recognition of dealing with them as citizens, as human beings.’’
Rivers recalled the numerous stories of that humanity disappearing in plain sight.
‘‘You always hear about a black athlete in a store and he can’t get service, but then the minute he’s recognised, all the employees want to give him service,’’ Rivers said. ‘‘When the uniform comes off, he’s not as powerful.’’
That dilution of presence is felt by black athletes who often wonder if anyone is watching or listening. They are being encouraged to share their feelings by Rivers, who led the
Los Angeles Clippers during the league removal of racist former owner Donald Sterling.
‘‘What is happening is not new, it’s been going on for a long time, people have been speaking about these things and only a few people have heard it,’’ Rivers said. ‘‘But I tell people, you’ve got to keep speaking the truth, it’s worth it. Just because you’re taking the right stand doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy, but it’s worth it.’’
Boyd recalls a scene that epitomised the need for those words. It occurred during a recent NBA finals, when LeBron James was walking off the floor in front of a couple that was loudly cursing him. At some point, James turned and looked at the couple, and the change was immediate.
‘‘I’ll never forget the look on their face, they were so shocked. It was if in that moment, they realised they were yelling at a real person,’’ Boyd recalled. ‘‘This is so telling. Before that moment, to them, LeBron James wasn’t even a human being.’’
When James and other black athletes talk about social issues – and this will happen plenty in coming days – white America, including me, need to recognise the humanity in those words. We need to listen. We need to bring those words back to our communities and lead.
Five years ago, entire NBA teams were wearing warmup shirts that read, ‘‘I Can’t Breathe’’ in honour of the final words of Eric Garner when he died in a police choke hold. Horrifically enough, those were also the final words of Floyd as he succumbed to Minneapolis police offer Derek Chauvin’s knee to his neck.
You can’t say we weren’t warned. Los Angeles Times