re: #194 BeachDem

Yesterday, I mentioned my hero, Bill Russell’s, reaction to the “doings” in sports. Here’s an article in today WaPo about his actions back in 1961:

Nearly 60 years earlier, Russell was the one pulling himself out of an NBA game as a demonstration against racist behavior. His Black teammates on the Boston Celtics followed suit, as did Black players for their opponent, the St. Louis Hawks.

…it’s likely that NBA players today would have no trouble finding common ground with a sentiment Russell expressed at the time: “I am coming to the realization that we are accepted as entertainers, but that we are not accepted as people in some places.”

washingtonpost.com

I remember reading a Bob Gibson quote that broke my heart. He said if he couldn’t pitch a baseball, he’d be just another n-word to most white people. Makes me sad. But I sadly do believe that still has truth. The way black athletes are treated when they speak out is appalling.