Oscar Robertson Calls For More White Athletes To Speak Out Against Social Injustices:  “This is Not a Black Athlete Problem”

Back in 2016, #ColinKaepernick made a statement against police brutality and social injustices by taking a knee during the National Anthem. Kaepernick’s initial statement catapulted silent protests among fellow NFL players, and a longstanding fight for equality within the sports community.

Although Donald Trump weighed in, in an attempt to prevent players from standing up, or taking a knee, for what they believe in, many players stood firm in their position. However, according to Basketball legend, Oscar Robertson, there is one problem with the longstanding fight for equality  – there are not enough white people taking a stand for what’s right. 

“The only thing that really bothers me is where are the white athletes when this is happening,” the Hall of Famer said on Monday at the NBA Awards. “This is not a black athlete problem. You see injustice in the world. It’s all around you. Just because LeBron steps out, I’m glad he does. I hope some other players – because this is what they believe – I mean, what do you want players to do? Shut up and dribble? I think it’s time for them to say what they want to say about life and about politics and things about the street and what not. And about education. They’re a lot of players donating money back into different colleges. But it seems that what we have today is a system where you don’t want players to say anything at all.” 

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“Years ago, they {athletes} didn’t say anything because they couldn’t say anything,” he continued, adding that things are different now. But, he says he hopes “the whites and the blacks get together” in an effort to change the social landscape.