“White Privilege Does Exist in Law”: NBA Legend Isiah Thomas Speaks Against Rising Racism in the United States

Protesters in the United States of America took to the streets for raising their concerns against racial injustice. Following the untimely demise of George Floyd, the world has been storming social media with their views and opinions on the burning issue. NBA players and officials shared their stance regarding the same, amid ongoing protests. Former Pistons star, Isiah Thomas, was next in line.

Isiah Thomas was born in 1961 in Illinois, West Chicago. He has witnessed the Chicago riots of 1968 very closely, which were a consequence of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination.

When asked about the current scenario, Isiah dug deep into the issue of racial injustice in the United States.

The 12-time NBA All-Star mentioned how he has faced such strife since his childhood days. The Chicago riots, the assassination of Fred Hampton in ’69, etc, Isiah has seen it all.

“All happening on the West side of Chicago in my neighborhood. The rioting, the gunshots, the fires, the looting… That was my childhood,” Isiah said in an interview on NBA TV.

Isiah Thomas spoke about the century-long practice of racism

“Watching this replay out over and over and over again, every decade… we are now in 2020. This is the problem that has existed since our inception in terms of the United States of America,” Isiah added, “The systemic racism, police brutality that we have to deal with in this country has classified colored, Negro, black African-American…”

Isiah further said, “Inside this America, the ratio divide, the systemic oppression, one color against another. If you’re classified as white, what we’ve termed ‘white privilege’ does exist in terms of law, in terms of stereotypes, in terms of our founding fathers and the constitution which they wrote.” 

Many NBA players have participated in the rising protests and taken their stand on racism in America. In fact, more and more people are delving into this issue with each passing day via different platforms.