LOS, ANGELES, USA — Basketball great Michael Jordan announced last Friday that the Jordan Brand will pledge $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations in support of racial equality.
Jordan voiced outrage over the death of George Floyd, an innocent black man who died due to asphyxiation when Minneapolis police office Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck while he pleaded and gasped for breath — sparking outrage and violent nationwide protests. In an article by Reuters, Jordan said his heart went out to the family of Floyd and others who have died through the acts of racism.
“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry. I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration. I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.””
Michael Jordan, Basketball hall of famer and owner of national basketball association’s charlotte hornets
The six-time NBA champion called on people to show compassion and empathy and never turn their backs on senseless brutality. Jordan’s announcement came as many U.S. cities were bracing for another night of unrest after cleaning up streets of litter, strewn broken glass and burned-out cars as curfews failed to clamp down confrontations between protests and police.
“We need to continue peaceful expressions against injustice and demand accountability. Our unified voice needs to put pressure on on our leaders to change our laws, or else we need to use our vote to create systemic change,” said Jordan.
“Every one of us needs to be part of the solution, and we must work together to ensure justice for all.”