“We have a lot of guys in this league who. . . have used their voice throughout this time and we’re really excited about all of this, about being able to change our last names and put a quote on it that represents where we are, what we want to say and what how we feel about it. , and I was really upset about all this change and how limited we really are.
Powell will wear “Black Lives Matter” on his jersey, choosing it from a list he called “cookie-cutter” and which he said doesn’t really address the topics of what players are trying to do. ‘accomplish.
Among the 29 slogans to choose from are: “Say Their Names,” “Vote,” and “I Can’t Breathe.”
“I wish there wasn’t even a list,” Powell said. “This is an issue where it’s free speech, and you’re taking your name off the back of your jersey that matters to you. It says a lot about how you see things and your approach to life and you shouldn’t be pigeonholed into saying that’s all you can say about it, it’s OK for you to say it.
Powell said as long as players didn’t use explicit language, they should have been free to choose whatever they wanted.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will wear “Speak Up” on her jersey.
“This hits home for me personally, because I think a lot more of us on this platform should definitely speak out, they should say something, especially if they believe and care about what’s happening right now in our world in its together,” he said. “I feel like we should all stand up and say something, bring someone closer, take it step by step, one person at a time, and then watch that ripple effect as we dissipate our energy, our love, our positivity on someone. It goes a long way.”
Some NBA players, like New Orleans’ Jrue Holiday, announced they would contribute their remaining game checks to social justice causes and black-owned businesses.
“I think what these guys have done is incredible,” Powell said.
The 27-year-old, who signed a four-year contract extension worth $27 million in 2017, announced Wednesday that 100 percent of the proceeds from July orders from his Understand the Grind spring/summer line would be donated to two foundations: Toronto- based on Black Women in Motion and Color of Change in the United States
“These are organizations that need our support more than ever,” Powell said on his Instagram page.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2020.
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Lori Ewing, The Canadian Press
