Listen Live
KMJQ Featured Video
CLOSE
Carmelo Anthony

Source: Nathaniel S. Butler / Getty

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony isn’t here for the “shut up and play, make that money” mentality, especially given the recent heinous acts of police brutality and the killing of five police officers in Dallas.

The 32-year-old age basketball player took to social media to express why athletes have to be more political, speak out and worry less about losing endorsements. Using an iconic image of Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown and Lew Alcindor seated together the Ali Summit 45 years ago, he also stressed that violence won’t solve the problem and our anger should be at the “broken” system. 

“Shooting 11 cops and killing 5 WILL NOT work,” Anthony wrote on Instagram. “… I’m calling for all my fellow ATHLETES to step up and take charge. Go to your local officials, leaders, congressman, assemblymen/assemblywoman and demand change. There’s NO more sitting back and being afraid of tackling and addressing political issues anymore. Those days are long gone. We have to step up and take charge.”

“We can’t worry about what endorsements we gonna lose or whose going to look at us crazy. I need your voices to be heard. We can demand change. We just have to be willing to. THE TIME IS NOW. IM all in. Take Charge. Take Action. DEMAND CHANGE,” he concluded.

 

To express his sentiments on a larger scale, he also took out a full-page ad in Saturday’s edition of the New York Daily News.

“Thank you” is right.

Melo isn’t the only one at home speaking out and using their influence to encourage change. His wife La La recently joined Spike Lee and hundreds of protestors in New York City’s Times Square to speak out about police violence.

 

We hope that more Black celebrities and athletes like the Anthonys will continue to inspire others to speak up and out about racism in America.

RELATED LINKS: 

When The Blood Of Our People Is Spilled On Our Timelines: Why Violent, Viral Videos Won’t Save Us

#CouplesWeLove: La La And Carmelo Anthony

AM BUZZ: Carmelo Anthony Visits Rikers, Sexiest Man Alive & More…

Carmelo Anthony Encourages Athletes To Speak Out About Police Brutality  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com