CHICAGO — Former Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan is pledging to donate $1 million each to two organizations working to build trust between police officers and the communities they serve.
Jordan, who has been routinely criticized over the years for his reluctance to speak publicly about social justice issues, said in a statement Monday that racial tensions "seem to be getting worse of late" and that "this country is better than that."
"I can no longer stay silent," he wrote on The Undefeated web site owned by ESPN.
While Jordan was praised in many quarters, a leader with the Chicago chapter of Black Lives Matter described Jordan's comments about fostering trust between cops and civilians as "clueless."
"Unfortunately, these celebrities are rich but they are clueless to the realities on the ground," said Kofi Ademola of Black Lives Matter. "They aren't deconstructing or examining the systems of oppression.
"In short, it's a false narrative that trust needs to be fostered with the police. Policing is inherently violent and as an institution it needs to be abolished along with the 'Prison Industrial Complex,' " Ademola said.
Jordan, now the owner of the Charlotte Hornets, noted the 1993 murder of his father, James Jordan Sr., a crime for which two men are serving life sentences.
"As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers," Jordan wrote.
"I grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, as I know their pain all too well."
Jordan wrote that he was "raised by parents who taught me to love and respect people regardless of their race or background, so I am saddened and frustrated by the divisive rhetoric and racial tensions that seem to be getting worse as of late."
"I know this country is better than that, and I can no longer stay silent. We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment AND that police officers — who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all – are respected and supported," Jordan said.
The organizations Jordan mentioned in the letter are the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., and International Association of Chiefs of Police.
The IACP tweeted their support for Jordan's endeavor.
Thanks to Michael Jordan for supporting and enhancing @theIACP Institute for Community-Police Relations. https://t.co/NB9kHPyzil
— The IACP (@TheIACP) July 25, 2016
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., in a statement, called Jordan's message and donation "an act of true leadership."
"Mr. Jordan has chosen to use his stature to highlight the importance of this issue to all Americans and by taking a personal stance in support of organizations directly engaged in addressing this crisis in our nation," said Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of LDF.
"We are grateful for this support, which will allow us to deepen our engagement on the issue of policing reform at this critical time in our country,” Ifill said.
Jordan, who is the NBA's only black principal/majority owner, has quietly built what has been described as one of, if not the most, diverse staffs in professional sports.
Fred Mitchell, a black sportswriter formerly of the Tribune, told DNAinfo that Jordan's words should carry weight with so many people.
"I am encouraged by both the actions and words of Michael Jordan, which signal support for both police and the African-American community," Mitchell said. "His voice should resonate deeply among all races and communities."
Demonze Q. Spruiel-Rose, co-host of the Chicagoland Sports Radio's "D and Davis Show," said, "I'm glad to see Michael Jordan actually speak out on social issues."
"I have always heard he made financial contributions to social issues affecting the black community but to actually see him expressing his thoughts should have some weight. We are talking about M.J.," Spruiel-Rose said.
Bryan Crawford, a staff writer with Hoop Magazine, said, "I think it's pretty big that M.J. actually spoke out [on] such a politically charged topic — that's certainly against the grain for him."
"On the other hand, this isn't a problem you can just throw money at. This issue has been and will always be systemic in nature. I don't think any amount of financial donations will do much to change anything," he said.
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