This summer, more than any in recent memory, has featured professional athletes speaking out on social issues. Colin Kaepernick’s protest by kneeling during the national anthem has been the most publicized. However, NBA players have not only supported their NFL quarterback counterpart, but in some cases preceded him on taking a stand about these issues.
Among the most active of these players is Dwyane Wade. Wade, who shocked everyone by signing with the Chicago Bulls this summer, has consistently spoken out about gun violence and police brutality. He did so publicly at the ESPY’s with LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony. He also helped organize a forum, broadcast on ESPN, to get others involved.
It’s safe to say that Wade has fully immersed himself in the situation. That’s why his advice to other athletes holds a little more weight.
Wade spoke to ESPN’s Michael Wallace about athletes’ platforms and how they can use them to promote change:
“Actions speak louder than the words you say. We have to continue to do things in our communities to try to raise the bar. The great thing about being an athlete today is you can make a stand for what you believe in, and it’s OK.”
“If you have something you believe in, take a stand and get behind it,” Wade said. “We have this platform. … We’re portrayed as bigger than life because we’re on the big stage. But we’re everyday people as well. And it’s OK to have a voice and express that. We through a call out [in July] to all athletes to use their voice and their platform to do more … to help the community, whatever race you are, and to stand up for what you believe in. And it’s great to see athletes standing up to do that.”
Dwyane Wade is right and he has been taking action. Even while grieving the loss of his cousin who was shot in Chicago this summer, Wade has been organizing forums and other events where the community (in both Miami and Chicago) can communicate with police officers.
After all, the shooting guard believes that is the path to social justice: “I think police need to do a better job of communicating to the community of what they’re looking for and what they’re out there doing,” Wade continued, speaking of the general unrest that exists in some communities. “And it’s important for the community to have an opportunity to communicate back to them as well — to have them explain whatever their problems [are] and how they’re handling them — to be able to move past this terrible epidemic we’re seeing. Today, this ride was all about unity.”
