The topic of race and racism has become a major talking point in the sports world recently. Starting with activism from some of the NBA’s biggest stars and becoming national news through Colin Kaepernick’s public and widespread protests, this important issue has been coming to light in one of the largest platforms possible.
Most of these discussions have focused on the national outlook. More specifically, they have been brought about by incidents of police brutality, particularly toward black men, across the country.
But arguably the most controversial branch of the protesting and public exclamations is happening at a much smaller level but by a much higher authority.
Milwaukee Bucks’ president Peter Feigin spoke to the Rotary Club in Madison, Wisconsin, recently. The topic at hand was the Bucks’ desire to become a force of good in the local community, especially as it pertains to social justice.
In doing so, Feigin was brutally honest about the status of Milwaukee in that department (via Dennis Punzel of the Wisconsin State Journal):
“We know we can’t cure the world,” Feigin said. “But we are very determined to get ourselves involved in programs that we can measure a difference in and put our claws into for a long period of time and show a difference.
“Very bluntly, Milwaukee is the most segregated, racist place I’ve ever experienced in my life. It just is a place that is antiquated. It is in desperate need of repair and has happened for a long, long time. One of our messages and one of our goals is to lead by example.”
This is an incredibly blunt answer and the honesty should be commended. Milwaukee does have a race problem that needs to be fixed and the Bucks could go a long way in doing that.
That said, it may not ultimately be wise to insult the city and state that is giving the team hundreds of millions of dollars for a new arena. Then again, that may prove Feigin’s genuine desire for the team and the community to progress.
