Full disclosure, I had planned on posting something else on theClubhouse platform today. But watching the most recent clip from Robert Horry moved me. It brought to light the very real pain and fear that so many live with every day. It was heartbreaking to watch.. You can check it out on Twitter here:
[Video](
)Robert Horry is every black father. Police need to stop shooting unarmed black people. We are not the threat. You are ! Stop your terrorism. pic.twitter.com/6Ra3QbbEdo
— MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) August 27, 2020
Typically we share educational best practices and stories from people in the Sports Business in an effort to educate and help others. But in the wake of the latest shooting of Jacob Blake earlier this week, and the continued social injustice and mistreatment of minority groups we're seeing in this country, it simply doesn't feel right to proceed as normal today. Things in our country are anything but normal right now, and by ignoring these issues and going about our daily lives, I fear these things will continue happening and I refuse to believe that we can't make a change here for the better.
The time is now, this has to stop. Also, in full transparency, as a white man it's hard to truly understand and feel the pain and discomfort these acts have caused so many. The truth is that I haven't experienced them directly. I try my best to listen, to participate, to empathize and to do my part to help the cause, but like so many, I'm unsure of exactly how to do that. Although thousands have protested this year, this continues to happen. We're off to a great start with the protests, but we need to do more. I need to do more as well.
As someone who's developed a voice via social media (albeit a small voice) my plan is to be more vocal on this issue and to try and do my part to support this movement publicly and to stand with my brothers and sisters of all races and genders in this fight for equality.
I was so proud of the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks, and all the teams and athletes for taking a stand (once again) yesterday. It felt good to be a part of the NBA Alumni Family (as a former employee of the Phoenix Suns). By boycotting and then canceling games and by refusing to play unless there is more meaningful change, it sent a message that these issues are bigger than sports and more important right now. If we want sports, we should make fixing this a priority. More so than we ever have before. These players are using their platforms for good and I support it 100%.
My hope is that we can work together to end this injustice, so that minority parents don't have to have these difficult conversations with their kids, families and friends and so they don't have to worry when they leave the house. They can live a life as equals and we all can coexist respectfully and safely. Your sharing and reading of this article is support whether you see it that way or not. You can help this cause by discussing it with your friends and family, by organizing, by protesting peacefully, and by VOTING.
Most importantly, try and listen, learn and empathize. It's hard for some of us to do that because we don't experience it every day, but listening and working together can help us all get to where we ultimately want to be. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
-Bob