Washington Wizards point guard John Wall reflected on what it feels like to be Black in America in a week full of protests and outrage following the death of George Floyd last Monday in Minneapolis.
"If I get pulled over right now, I’m terrified": As the NBA announces its return, @JohnWall has got more on his mind, & on his plate, than returning to hoop. A deep dive of his "Hoops, Adjacent" pod appearance, in @TheAthleticDC
& @TheAthleticNBA: https://t.co/UF4tFolE6g(1/2)
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 4, 2020
Wall stated he would legitimately fear for his wellbeing if he were to be pulled over by a police officer given the current social climate (via David Aldridge of The Athletic):
“If I get pulled over right now, I’m terrified,” Wall said on this week’s “Hoops, Adjacent” podcast. “To be realistic. If I’m in a dark area, or a back street, I’m not stopping. I’ll go to a high-speed chase to get to a spot where it’s a grocery store, or somewhere where’s there’s a lot of lights at, because that’s how terrifying it is.
John Wall is hardly the only athlete to express an intrinsic fear of police in light of recent events.
The Athletic held a panel of former MLB players to hold a discussion on race. The panel featured the likes of Torii Hunter and Dontrelle Willis, who expressed the idea that most Black Americans are taught to be extremely cautious and especially conscious around police.
These teachings extend to adulthood. Hunter and Ryan Howard spoke about individual encounters with police during their professional careers.
John Wall's words emphasize this mentality of fear, one that appears to be a reflection on the relationship between the police and Black Americans.
Many protestors are calling for systemic change around the country, and especially with respect to police forces.
Athletes have taken up the mantle, attending protests and speaking at rallies. Others, like Wall, are using their voice to share their feelings and experiences.
Follow Us
Subscribe