A moment to listen, and learn, and get better
Because the present reality is so far away from good enough
I’ve been struggling for days trying to decide what to put in this space. Even IF sports around the country weren’t shut down, everything that has happened in this country and is happening right now in this country would overshadow everything else. Protests in reaction to the police murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor are too important to be ignored.
Some may object that this is off-topic, political, or otherwise unnecessary on this website. To a certain extent, I wouldn’t really blame somebody for wanting to block out the outside world right now.
But if you’re a Cal fan, then you must surely know that the people that have been the source of so much entertainment to us are hurting right now. They don’t have the option of ignoring the problem of police violence and biased law enforcement practices. If you cared about Shareef and Layshia and DeSean when they wore the blue and gold, you owe it to them to listen and understand their experiences.
It isn’t the responsibility of black Americans to open the eyes of their fellow citizens, and it isn’t their responsibility to express their pain publicly. But I think that it is our responsibility to listen and learn from those who do, so that we can advocate for a better future in this country.
Everything below only begins to touch the surface of reactions from Cal’s black athletes, past and present, to say nothing of reactions from the greater Cal academic community. If you have something worth sharing, please add a link in the comments.
Since this is an inherently political subject, we’re going to be exercising more judicious moderation in the comments. Please be respectful.
Charmin Smith
Jaylen Brown
Talia Caldwell
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Rod Benson
Layshia Clarendon
Desean Jackson
Justin Forsett
Paris Austin
De’Zhon Grace
Traveon Beck
Darius Allensworth
Stephen Anderson
Using the work 'protestors' is a misnomer. The violent criminals looting, burning and beating people are to 'protests' what Derek Chauvin was to 'police': a Disgrace! They deserve to be in the cell next to him. Sad to see individuals besmirch the honor of George Floyd with such shameful display.
I'm a subscriber but happy that The Athletic removed the paywall here: https://theathletic.com/1845455