I haven’t always been the biggest fan of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but that’s only because I’m a Celtics fan. I remember him beating our Celtics at the buzzer with one of those famous sky hooks.
Now that he is no longer scaring Boston basketball fans, I have become one of Kareem’s biggest admirers. This man is intelligent, articulate, courageous and very progressive.
You gotta love that combination.
Kareem has been outspoken in his criticism of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Trump and ISIS depend on irrationality https://t.co/8nRfRyF0d1
— TIME (@TIME) June 15, 2016
Last Thursday evening, Kareem took the stage at the Democratic National Convention to introduce Khizr Khan, the father of Captain Humayun Khan, the fallen Muslim American hero.
As he stepped to the microphone, Kareem looked out into the packed audience of delegates.
“I’m Michael Jordan, and I’m here with Hillary. I said that because I know that Donald Trump couldn’t tell the difference.”
Boom!
Without name calling, without using any profanity or vulgarity, without breaking a sweat, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar called Donald Trump a racist.
Good for him. Kareem, a proud Black American, has taken exception to Trump’s reference to “my African American.” He’s aware, no doubt, that Trump is supported by David Duke of the KKK.
Kareem is an American Muslim, and all of us know how Trump feels about Muslims.
So it’s no surprise that the famous basketball star would point to Trump’s racist beliefs. All Black men look alike, right?
Kareem was named U.S. Cultural Ambassador in 2012 by then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He took the role very seriously, and talked on Thursday about how the story of Humayun Khan stands in stark contrast to the fearful, divisive language of Donald Trump. He said:
“At its core, discrimination is a result of fear. Those who think Americans scare easily enough to abandon the country’s ideals in exchange for a false sense of security underestimate our resolve. To them, we say only this: Not here, not ever.”
Kareem, I forgive you for that late game winning shot. I embrace your courage, your calm wit and your ability to call out a racist when you see him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3yu31uBMjE
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
