Jimmy Rollins along with other athletes continue difficult discussion about race
The past few months have been filled with events that we will carry throughout the rest of our history – one of the most pressing consists of protests happening across the nation dealing with institutional racism within the county and its police system. These events stemmed from the killing of George Floyd, which took place in late May, but the difficult conversations on the matter continue over a month later.
Former Phillie Jimmy Rollins was just one of many to participate in the American Century Championship over the weekend – a golf tournament where prize money and additional donations are set to be donated across an abundance of organizations that support COVID-19 relief efforts, the Equal Justice Initiative and regional non-profits in the surrounding area.
Rollins, along with others who partook in the event are also set to be featured on “Race and Sports in America: Conversations,” a wide-ranging roundtable discussion special set to air Monday night at 8 p.m. ET. This special will focus on topics ranging from social injustice, locker room conversations about race and ways that sports can help combat inequality.
This won’t be the first time that Rollins has spoken out in regard to recent events. In early June, both he and his former teammate Ryan Howard joined a conversation, hosted by The Athletic, to speak out about race within baseball and America.
In Monday night’s upcoming special, Rollins continues this conversation and discusses with the roundtable and Damon Hack of GOLF Channel and NBC Sports how he’s viewing the situations at hand.
Here is a snippet from the former Phillie:
We’ve seen video after video after video, usually resulting in someone getting shot for doing something they’re asked, because their color is their gun. Being the wrong color in the wrong neighborhood means you’re an automatic threat. But when you look at the majority of gun owners they aren’t Black men or Black people in general. We shy away from gun stores. We shy away from getting permits and licenses to carry because we’re not comfortable even when we walk in. So going to a gun store, am I a criminal? That’s the first thing you’re thinking they’re thinking. Well, what do you need the gun for? Who are you planning to go kill?
Yet, when we get pulled over or when we’re just walking down a street or doing just the normal things that any American or any person in this world is doing, we’re already a threat for doing it. And if you’re in a wrong neighborhood, what are you doing here? You have to be up to no good.
… What I like about this movement … it isn’t just Black people out there. It isn’t just Whites supporting Blacks – they’re Asians, they’re Hispanics. And people from every walk. Because they understand. If a Black life matters, then all the rest of the lives will matter.
… We aren’t screaming for us. When we say Black Lives Matter, yes, all lives matter. But in this very moment, we need you to help us and help them and empower to understand that Black Lives Matter.
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