Phoenix Suns big man Aron Baynes stepped up in a big way by writing an open letter in efforts to stop racial inequality.
The New Zealand-born, Australian-nationalized center acknowledged some of his own faults growing up and started an open conversation in hopes to change some opinions:
“They say ignorance is bliss. I say bulls**t. Ignorance is an excuse and a crutch my friends, and it is what will drag this world under if we're not careful,” wrote Aron Baynes. “Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.
“I grew up ignorant. I grew up uneducated. I grew up as part of the problem – part of the white majority in a small Australian town,” Aron Baynes admitted.
“Don't mistake me. I didn't dislike any certain individual because of their race or culture. But I didn't support them either, which was just as bad. I was a silent bystander. I did not have the knowledge or the will to stand up for those who were oppressed or marginalized.”
The pursuit for equality is a global issue, a fight for our human race, our country, our community, our colleagues, our friends. I will do all I can within my own sphere of influence to make sure love, acceptance and understanding are paramount and that ignorance has no place. pic.twitter.com/bcpzuRnOrG
— Aron Baynes (@aronbaynes) June 4, 2020
Aron Baynes is fully aware that staying idle and being complicit is just as harmful to society as being among those who oppress and marginalize people of color.
The Aussie big man is married to Rachel Adekponya, a black woman with whom he has had children. Despite growing up as a white kid in Queensland, Australia, racial implications now play a part in Baynes' everyday life — not only being married to a black woman, but also having children who could face racism and discrimination at any point.
Aron Baynes' hope is that people can learn to accept others and listen to their struggles as a first step to pursue equality for those who have long been silenced and oppressed. The Suns big man is just the latest of many NBA players to speak out amid the protests happening across the country.
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