Just before one of the biggest games in basketball, NBA superstar Lebron James stood at a press conference, not just to talk about the game but to speak about being targeted in a hate crime.
An LAPD spokesman [1] said the vandalism was reported early Wednesday morning after the N-word had been spray-painted on the front gate of James' residence. When asked about the incident in a press conference - originally intended to center around the championship game between the Cavaliers and the Warriors - James addressed the ever-present threat of racism that people of color face every day in this country.
"No matter how much money you have, no matter how famous you are, no matter how many people admire you, you know being black in America is tough. And we got a long way to go, for us as a society and for us as African-Americans, until we feel equal in America."
James' powerful words serve as a reminder that there is work to be done to stop hate. Tonight's two champion basketball teams are on the same side of the court when it comes to standing tall against hate. Not In Our Town is proud to partner with the Golden State Warriors on the "Not On Our Ground" campaign to stand up to hate and bullying. Join us!
Take the "Not On Our Ground [2]" Pledge
“I pledge to stand up to all forms of hate, bigotry, violence and bullying. I will not stay silent in the face of intolerance based on race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, religion, ability or any other factor. If I see something, I will say something. I will work together with my neighbors to create safer, more inclusive communities for all.”
Why Take the Pledge?
If you stand up to hate and bullying, you can change someone’s life—maybe even your own. The Pledge is a reminder to speak up:
- when you see someone being bullied or harassed
- when you hear a bigoted comment or "joke"
- when you see cruel messages on social media
Keep the Pledge to stop bullying and hate in your head and in your heart. Share it with others. It starts with each one of us taking a step. If we all stand up together, we can change our school, our workplace, our community, our country. We can change our world.