Kelly: Ross’ actions don’t change the good he’s done

Just because Steve Ross supports President Donald Trump and hosts a fundraiser for his reelection campaign, that doesn’t mean he’s a racist.

MIAMI GARDENS — Kenny Stills knelt during the playing of the national anthem during Thursday’s preseason opener just like the Miami Dolphins receiver has done for every game he has played in the past three seasons, re-enforcing his message that injustice still exists in America.

Steve Ross, the owner of the Dolphins, gave Stills and three other teammates the green light to take a knee to protest social injustices and racial inequality in 2016, and his commitment to Stills expressing himself freely — whether it be in words or actions — while representing the Dolphins hasn’t wavered.

Neither has Ross’ own commitment to ending racial inequality and encouraging diversity, which is reflected at every level of his organization, which has six African American males sitting at the top of it.

Just because Ross supports President Donald Trump, whose actions and rhetoric since taking office have contributed to the racial divisions that plague our country, and hosts a fundraiser for Trump’s reelection campaign, that doesn’t mean he’s a racist.

People are complex. They evolve, and so do our opinions of them.

I’ve seen enough of Stills’ actions and evolution as a person, and leader to know that he’s committed to his cause, and won’t back down, no matter the cost. He’s endured years of unwarranted abuse speaking up for those who have no voice — and has received countless death

threats, including a few Wednesday when he criticized Ross for his support of Trump.

His heart is pure, and his cause is one that gets my full support.

I’ve also witnessed and felt the difference Ross’ initiatives and charity work have made in the community.

Ross is a genuine man who sometimes puts his foot in his mouth. But his heart is usually in the right place.

That doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be called out for the hypocrisy that comes with holding a fundraiser for Trump while having a foundation — one that’s named after him — which has the goal of creating racial equality.

“You can’t have a non-profit with this mission statement then open your doors to Trump,’’ Stills wrote on his twitter account, following it with the statement of the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) to, “eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.”

“It’s not about politics. It’s never been about politics,” Stills said after Miami’s 34-27 preseason win over the Atlanta Falcons Thursday night. “It’s about human beings. Some people say you don’t say those things to your boss, but for me it’s just a human being. If you say you’re going to be about something, let’s be about it.”

The confirmation that Ross is one of more than two dozen — if not more — NFL owners who support Trump doesn’t change who Ross is, or what he’s done for South Florida, and the world. This is the same man who has vowed to donate half his net worth to charity.

What it says is that Ross wants the tax breaks that come from Trump’s financial policies, and indicates that he cares most about his business profits. But that is his right.

You can be selfish and still be a good human being. You can be self-centered and remain compassionate.

Ross has a right to vote for and donate to any politician he feels fits his agenda. That’s the beauty of being an American and living in a democracy.

You as a consumer also have the right to boycott his businesses — and that includes the Dolphins — if you disagree with his practices and beliefs. That’s also part of the foundation of what America is built on.

However, that level of protest could create a slippery slope.

Where does it end once we dig deep into all the organizations, businesses, individuals that contribute to the current president’s campaign coffer, or those whose leaders voted for him and plan to do so again?

Should we no longer shop at Home Depot, where Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank is the owner?

Should we opt out of all David Tepper’s hedge funds if the Carolina Panthers owner contributes to the Trump campaign?

Should Johnson and Johnson products get banned because someone in the family that owns the New York Jets donates to Trump?

We’re getting to the point in this country where everyone who doesn’t believe in what you believe in is demonized, and that’s unhealthy, unreasonable and unAmerican.

Just like Stills has the right to protest injustice, Ross should have the right to support Trump and help fund his campaign.

Omar Kelly