As the NBA approaches MLK Day on Monday to recognize the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr, a civil rights leader who was the front-runner for African American civil rights in the late 50s and 60s, February marks the beginning of Black History Month. Black History Month is a commemoration of the history of African Americans who made an impact in society and the world. For the Lakers' young players, Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball, the contributions of African Americans have enabled them to play basketball and be accepted by society. However, it appears that Ball doesn't remember a significant African American trailblazer from two centuries ago.
Me: “zo who was sojourner truth?” @ZO2_ : “that is Paul pierces niece”
Y’all have to take this dude back to UCLA
— kuz (@kylekuzma) January 14, 2018
Sojourner Truth was an African American abolitionist and a fighter for the civil rights of women. She is famous for her impromptu speech, “Aint I a Woman”?
That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man – when I could get it – and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?
Apparently, Lonzo Ball mixed Sojourner Truth up with Paul Pierce, who is nicknamed “The Truth”. It's a comical exchange, but hopefully Ball knows who the real Sojourner Truth is.
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