Both players and fans have reacted negatively to his remarks, with many contending that kneeling during the anthem is a nonviolent way to protest racial injustice and inequity.
Athletes from a variety of sports, including the NFL and NBA, have shown their support for causes like Black Lives Matter by kneeling during the playing of the national anthem in recent years.
Despite their controversy, these demonstrations have spurred crucial discussions about institutional racism and public leaders’ obligations to utilize their positions for social change.
Several protest movement supporters have voiced dissatisfaction with Jordan’s position, pointing to his personal experience overcoming hardship as a Black man in a mostly white field.
Given how much he has profited from shattering boundaries in athletics, one activist said, “Michael Jordan’s stance feels hypocritical.”
“For Black athletes, he was once a symbol of hope, but it appears that he is now siding with groups that seek to stifle nonviolent protests.”
