San Antonio Spurs has urged people to educate themselves on the history of the social injustice of the United States and has promised to ensure that the momentum of protests against racism will not stop.
The San Antonio Spurs coach, wearing a “Vote, it depends on your life” shirt, appeared The TNT arena, a five-night live documentary event focused on discussing stories and issues regarding the game of basketball.
Popovich previously said he believes that the resumption of the NBA season at the Disney World Wide of Sports complex in central Florida is an opportunity for the league, players and coaches to do something transformative in the fight against injustice. social and expanded its message.
“It is our responsibility and necessity (to do it) considering what is happening in our country,” Cari said to the champion. “We hope that the realization by many people, mostly white, who will begin to understand what the black population has been like.
“Adam Silver and the NBA have done an extraordinary job of putting together (the restart of the season). I don’t know if there is a safer place on Earth than where we are now. Since we are here and we will play some games, we have the responsibility to continue the conversation. It will be a mantra for all of us. Players, coaches, GM, everyone who is here will stick to this because it is an opportunity to make sure that the momentum does not stop. “
Popovich has never shied away from talking about social issues and has been asked by Champion how his conversations have gone on with that matter since his Spurs came to the NBA bubble.
“I know it’s going great with all the teams in and out of the bubble. By outside I mean people who aren’t here,” he said.
“I have to give credit to (Atlanta Hawks coach) Lloyd Pierce. He put together a committee of coaches to make sure we all understand that we must do everything we can to educate in those 30 NBA cities. He worked day and night for put together a program together with other organizations (including) the Bryan Stevenson fair justice program, the foundation of President Obama, that sort of thing.
“We, along with the players, are committed to making sure that on a daily basis (the topic of the fight for social justice) it is at the forefront and at the forefront of everyone’s mind.”
Popovich wears a mask while practicing the Spurs in Orlando
The 71-year-old Popovich is – along with Mike D’Antoni of Houston Rockets and Alvin Gentry of the pelicans of New Orleans – among a group of coaches whose age has placed them in the high-risk group with regards to coronavirus. He was asked by Arena guest colleague Charles Barkley about his level of concern for his health within the bubble.
“I’m (worried). I don’t want to die,” said Popovich. “I always wear the mask, I took it off to talk to you guys. If you have half a brain, you have to take it seriously and understand that people of all ages are coming with this disease and the older you are the more susceptible you may be and even if you go through it, there seem to be long lasting complications.
“Each of us should be a little older than taking it seriously. I wear my mask in practice and only take it off when I have something to say because I’m worried.”
Popovich was asked to return to the race topic by the Arena draymond green panelist. The Golden State Warriors all-star spoke of “almost never being with whites” during his childhood in Saqinaw, Michigan. He asked Popovich for his thoughts on how black and white communities can bridge the gap to create greater mutual understanding.
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“It’s a very good question and my answer may seem a little trivial,” said coach Spurs. “When you get to the root of it all, it’s about learning and educating. In fact, learning and understanding other people’s situations is where it starts. There must be that discussion. In a way, we’re all in the dark about things that don’t really concern us.
“Laura Ingraham, the lady who told LeBron to shut up and dribble, said a quote that went political and that all the statues had to go down but nobody was paying attention. Think about that statement. I don’t know if you meant bad or not. I don’t know if he was trying to inflame. But it’s a clueless comment about a white person because whites probably didn’t pay attention to it because it didn’t influence them when they passed a Confederate statue every day.
“This is the education I’m talking about. To understand what other people are going through. You have to have a discussion with people before they can understand. And you have to educate.
“With all of our 30 organizations that’s where it starts. Before you go out and pontificate, you need to make sure your home is in order and that the people in your organization feel comfortable in their environment. This is what needs to happen for the long run.
“In the meantime, we want to talk about the police brutality, the pay difference, the wealth gap, the repairs, all of these things, but if we don’t educate, if the textbooks don’t change, if not everyone learn things at school .. The young black players on my team didn’t know about (2121) Tulsa (race massacre). They didn’t know that between the end of the Civil War and around 1950 there were 6,500 lynchings. We don’t know. Nobody told us that stuff. People need to know why we are where we are.
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