UNC basketball releases video statement on racial injustice and police brutality
Posted July 6, 2020 8:15 p.m. EDT
Roy Williams was joined by more than 20 former North Carolina basketball players — including Michael Jordan — in a video statement by the UNC basketball program addressing systemic racism and police brutality, which was released via the team's Twitter account on Monday night.
Williams started off the video by addressing his mentor Dean Smith, who spent much of his life fighting for racial justice.
"In 1966, our legendary head coach Dean Smith — my mentor — changed college basketball dramatically, particularly in the south, by signing Chralie Scott, the first African-American player, to a scholarship at the University of North Carolina," Williams said. "Many of our greatest Tar Heels — some of the greatest to play our game — have been black players. But here we are more than 50 years later and our country is still fighting systemic racism and police brutality against black men and women. The North Carolina basketball program, our family, our current and former players believe black lives matter. And it's critically important that we don't just believe it — we must stand together and loudly and clearly demand that we as a country and the world embrace the fundamental human right that black lives matter."
Then former players each said one sentence, and the group included players as far back as 1957 national champions Tommy Kearns and Lennie Rosenbluth and as recent as fellow national champions Luke Maye, Theo Pinson, Kennedy Meeks and Justin Jackson, who were part of the team that won it all 60 years after Carolina's first title.
Every player that participated in the video won a national title at North Carolina in 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009 or 2017.
Tyler Hansbrough also made an appearance, as did Ty Lawson — both won a title at North Carolina together in 2009. "Diversity is the backbone of a great country," Lawson said in the video.
The video called for police brutality to end, and for the killing of unarmed black citizens to stop. It also urged people to speak out about it and demand that racism be eliminated. "Make sure you register..." Danny Green said in the video before Sam Perkins appeared to add: "and vote."
"Justice for all is not a political issue," Raymond Felton said. "It's a human right."
The video ended with Michael Jordan.
"Systematic racism has to stop now. We must take the time to listen and educate our family, our friends, our children on social injustice and racial equality," Jordan said. "Black lives matter more now than ever before. We have to get this right, so please take time to educate yourself and improve the lives of many people, many black people. Thank you."
