There is nothing that says you can't be active and love your community and fight for your community and still do your job.
Malcolm JenkinsRead
We've been doing work outside of the anthem since the beginning. Before the anthem even started, players were involved in these types of social justice issues. The anthem protests or demonstrations just brought eyes and attention to it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that the work for social justice has been ongoing and the protests merely highlighted existing efforts.
Malcolm Jenkins highlights that the activism and efforts towards social justice have been part of the players' commitment long before the protests connected to the anthem began. The demonstrations served to draw public awareness to these initiatives, showcasing a deeper history of involvement in social issues rather than a new phenomenon arising from the protests themselves.
Themes
Social JusticeProtestsActivismAwarenessChange
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a panel discussion on social justice in sports.
More from Malcolm Jenkins
All quotes →I grew up playing in the streets. We played two-hand touch from street pole to street pole. That's how I learned the game.
Malcolm JenkinsRead
Our biggest thing is, any player who's protesting will tell you that the only reason we use the anthem is because it's a platform like no other. We use it to draw attention to other issues. We've heard from many people, 'Use a different venue. Use a different platform.' Quite frankly, this is the most effective one.
Malcolm JenkinsRead
When I look at our communities, our country, our justice system, those are things I want to change and I'm committed to changing, and that's going to take sacrifice. Laying the foundation is the hardest part and requires a lot of sacrifice and time.
Malcolm JenkinsRead
The people who have been unjustly disenfranchised by our criminal justice system and the people who daily fight for them always have, and always will be, the inspiration and focus of my efforts.
Malcolm JenkinsRead
Communities of color have also had to watch video after video of unarmed black men and women being handled without regard for their lives or well-being. As a black man, I see these images, and I see myself; I wonder whether this will happen to me or one of my loved ones.
Malcolm JenkinsRead
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