Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has
always fought for social justice. Here are his three thoughts on society.
Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar is an NBA legend.
But aside from all the accolades, he has earned in the sport of basketball, he
is also an advocate of social justice. He has headed many protests and wrote
many books and essays on the matter.
Abdul-Jabbar
was raised prior to and during the Civil Rights movement. As a young teen in high
school, he attended many demonstrations to fight against the injustices against
African-Americans. He also wrote many essays criticizing the maltreatment of
minorities. He continued to express his displeasure while he was in college,
during his time in the NBA, and after he retired.
Here
are his three thoughts on racism in America and journalistic corruption:
1) “Black people don't have an accurate idea of their history, which has been either suppressed or distorted.”
This
is a similar sentiment to what Malcolm X believed.
There
is a saying that goes something like this –“history is written by the winners.”
And because of this, the stories of the oppressed are often inaccurate. The reason why is because the history that we learn in schools are told from the memories
of the winners; it is shared through the perspective of the colonizer.
So
by saying that it is “suppressed or distorted,” he is challenging educators and
history writers to do a better job. He is also informing the general public and
challenging them, too, to put in more effort to learn the true history of their
people (and others’ as well).
2) “The problem is that the longer we continue to deny the problem of racism exists, the longer it takes to solve it. It’s like ignoring that Texas-shaped mole on your cheek that keeps getting darker and more tender. You could just give it a cute name and ignore it, hoping it magically goes away on its own. Or you could seek aggressive treatment that would probably save your face and even your life.”
Too
many people deny the existence of racism.
They
will say it no longer exists because blatant racism is “rare.” Or that there
are more successful minorities now, so racism must be a thing of the past.
But
racism is still here and it is still strong. Just because there was a black
president, that doesn’t mean that African-Americans are no longer oppressed. Racial
stereotypes still exist, police brutality cases are still being reported in the
news, and there are still many (so many) African-Americans living in poverty
because of discriminatory social policies.
3) “The greatest threat to our basic freedoms and to democracy comes from the relentless attacks on the news media from politicians and business leaders who fear journalistic scrutiny.”
Okay,
so the mainstream news industry is messed up and corrupt. Most of us can agree
with that. But why?
Abdul-Jabbar
believes that it’s because of politicians and business leaders who fear
journalists saying negative things about them and their business. And to
prevent this, they pay journalists to only say good things. Or they buy the
news organization and suppress the truth; they control the narrative.
That’s
why when an election is around the corner, a lot of mainstream news channels
will talk about one politician more than others. They will also say more
positive things about a specific politician, while giving unfair assessments to
others (or sometimes telling straight-up lies).
Read More: James Baldwin’s 3 thoughts on society
If
you're interested in learning more about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, check out these
books on (and by) him:
[These links are
affiliate links. What this means is that I will get a small commission if you
decide to use the link to buy the product, at no extra cost to you.]
Becoming
Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court
·
Buy
From Amazon Here: https://amzn.to/2SdKyl3
Writings
on the Wall: Searching for a New Equality Beyond Black and White
·
Buy
From Amazon Here: https://amzn.to/2SgrhPL
I had always wondered if news stations were owned and/or paid off by politicians. It concerns that I am just now confirming this as a 30 year old person. It seems like something I should have known by now BUT I suppose me not knowing goes to show how well of a job they do concealing the truth at times.
ReplyDeleteKareem Abdul-Jabbar, a former NBA player, is renowned for his dominance in the paint, particularly with his signature move, the skyhook. Standing at 7 feet 2 inches tall, his height and skyhook made him nearly unstoppable near the basket, contributing to his all-time leading scoring record in the NBA. His consistent scoring in the post has left a lasting legacy in basketball. Abdul-Jabbar's longevity and consistent high-level performance are remarkable aspects of his career. He played 20 seasons in the NBA, earning numerous All-Star selections and MVP awards. His adaptability and basketball IQ and work ethic have made him a dominant force in the sport. Although basketball, Abdul-Jabbar has also been an outspoken advocate for social and political issues, using his platform to address racial inequality, social justice, and other important causes. His contributions as an author, speaker, and cultural ambassador extend beyond the basketball court, reflecting his commitment to making a positive impact on society and using his influence to promote change.bankruptcy chapter 7 lawyer near me
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