Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand Donating $100 MILLION to Fight Racism

How will it be used Michael?

Will it be used to bail violent rioters and looters out of jail?

Is that social justice?

Will it pay for bricks going through windows of hard working small business owners in America?

I sure hope not.

I was such a fan of Jordan growing up and even looking back with The Last Dance.

I hope this doesn't tarnish his legacy.  

Remember Michael, Republicans and Small Business Owners buy shoes too! 

From CBS News, here's more:

Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand on Friday announced a $100 million donation to help the ongoing fight against racial injustice. The basketball legend announced that over the next 10 years, he and his brand will donate $100 million to "organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education."

"We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice," according to a statement announcing the donation. "It's 2020, and our family now includes anyone who aspires to our way of life. Yet as much as things have changed, the worst remains the same."

The statement emphasized that "Black lives matter. This is not a controversial statement."

"Until the ingrained racism that allows our country's institutions to fail is completely eradicated, we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of Black people."

Craig Williams, president of Jordan Brand, also released a statement about Jordan and Jordan Brand's commitment to fighting racial justice issues. Williams said that the Brand's Jordan Wings program, which provides scholarships for students to attend four-year universities, is focused on helping Black youth overcome systemic racism.

"We must join forces with the community, government and civic leaders to create a lasting impact together," Williams said. "There is still more work for us to do to drive real impact for the Black Community. We embrace the responsibility."

Nike, Jordan Brand's parent company, released a viral video last week, telling people, "For once, Don't Do It."

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And from the Tampa Bay Times:

Michael Jordan knows money alone can’t solve racism or barriers to upward mobility for the poor.

But he hopes the pledge he and Nike’s Jordan Brand division made Friday — to donate $100 million over the next 10 years to racial equality and social justice causes — helps start a conversation and a level of education that can finally end the ingrained racism the Basketball Hall of Famer says he’s seen all his life as an African American.

“We have encountered racism to be somewhat acceptable in certain circles,” Jordan, owners of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, told The Charlotte Observer. “We’ve got to understand at an early age (that can’t be tolerated). Education is such an important part” of societal change.

The $100 million pledge will go to support organizations working for racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.

Jordan said access to education is crucial to upward mobility and changing cultural norms regarding race and poverty. He called the death of African American George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis the “tipping point” for decades of black outrage over brutality toward people of color.

This interview has been edited lightly for brevity and clarity.

Q: What moved you to action to give $100 million?

Jordan: We have been beaten down (as African Americans) for so many years. It sucks your soul. You can’t accept it anymore. This is a tipping point. We need to make a stand. We’ve got to be better as a society regarding race.

Q: What has to happen to change racist behaviors?

Jordan: Face up to your demons. Extend a hand. Understand the inequalities. Sure, it’s about bargaining for better policing, but it’s more. We have encountered racism to be somewhat acceptable in certain circles.

Q: Which organizations get the $100 million? Where does that money go to address these issues?

Jordan: We haven’t yet figured which vehicles to utilize. But it’s first about making an effort. It’s not just (donating) money. It’s the act of calling on all of us to take a look at ourselves. That’s an important start.

Q: How would you describe bias?

Jordan: Just because someone grew up in a slum doesn’t mean you should look at them as not being equal — so they, themselves, start seeing themselves as not equal. You should not feel you’re better than others because you grew up with more advantages.

Q: Describe your emphasis on education.

Jordan: It’s education 110 percent. My parents always stressed that education as how you best bond with other people. Education is the best route for black people to better themselves. To compete to be the best you can be, you have got to be educated. If you look at this country, that helping hand (to get a college education) is the best chance to stand up on your own.

Q: What’s your approach to philanthropy?

Jordan: If I’m giving $100 million, along with Jordan Brand, then we’re going to make this go in a way that makes a difference. And this — attacking ingrained racism, supporting educational opportunity — is a very necessary step in society.