Michael Jordan Pens a Powerful Letter About Racial and Social Unrest: "I Can ** Longe
 

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Michael Jordan is k**wn for keeping his personal life private, but on Monday, the NBA legend took a stand on the country's recent social issues with an emotional essay for The Undefeated. "As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police ******rs," he wrote in the one-page letter. Aside from an**uncing grants of $1 million each to support the Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Michael, whose father, James Jordan, was murdered in an act of gun violence in 1993, also urged his peers to seek out change for these important issues.

"As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police ******rs. I grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, as I k**w their pain all too well.

I was raised by parents who taught me to love and respect people regardless of their race or background, so I am saddened and frustrated by the divisive rhetoric and racial tensions that seem to be getting worse as of late. I k**w this country is better than that, and I can ** longer stay silent. We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment AND that police ******rs ? who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all ? are respected and supported.

Over the past three decades I have seen up close the dedication of the law enforcement ******rs who protect me and my family. I have the greatest respect for their sacrifice and service. I also recognize that for many people of color their experiences with law enforcement have been different than mine. I have decided to speak out in the hope that we can come together as Americans, and through peaceful dialogue and education, achieve constructive change.

To support that effort, I am making contributions of $1 million each to two organizations, the International Association of Chiefs of Police's newly established Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The Institute for Community-Police Relations' policy and oversight work is focused on building trust and promoting best practices in community policing. My donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the nation's oldest civil rights law organization, will support its ongoing work in support of reforms that will build trust and respect between communities and law enforcement. Although I k**w these contributions alone are **t e**ugh to solve the problem, I hope the resources will help both organizations make a positive difference.

We are privileged to live in the world's greatest country ? a country that has provided my family and me the greatest of opportunities. The problems we face didn't happen overnight and they won't be solved tomorrow, but if we all work together, we can foster greater understanding, positive change and create a more peaceful world for ourselves, our children, our families and our communities."

Michael is just the latest celebrity that has spoken out about the racial and social unrest in the country. Read more statements from Michael B. Jordan, Beyoncé, John Legend, Kim Kardashian, and Barack Obama.



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