Michael Jordan revealed in an interview in 1992 that he once possessed a lot of repressed anger against white people for putting the African-American community through centuries of pain and suffering. As it turns out, Michael Jordan had to go through serious introspection and education to let go of his anger and hatred towards Caucasian people.
In 1977, the miniseries Roots permanently altered the racial landscape in America. In other words, the series educated a lot of people on the centuries of suffering brought on black people through slavery. Moreover, it also made people aware of the tacit forms of racism experienced by many people of color on a daily basis.
As it turns out, the miniseries left a deep impression on Michael Jordan. It made him aware of the realities that he had little knowledge of thus far.
Michael Jordan on letting go of his anger
Michael Jordan developed a deep sense of hatred after witnessing the centuries of oppression that his people faced. Moreover, instances of racism in daily life further reinforced his prejudice against white people.
For example, he remembers throwing a soda can at a girl after she had addressed him with a racial slur. At one point in time, the Chicago Bulls legend even considered himself a racist against white people. He was 15 years old at the time.
However, Jordan decided to educate himself instead of bearing hatred in his heart. “You have to be able to say, OK, that happened back then. Now let’s take it from here and see what happens,” said the six-time NBA champion.
“It would be very easy to hate people for the rest of your life, and some people have done that. You’ve got to deal with what’s happening now and try to make things better,” he added.
As it turns out, it took a whole year for the five-time MVP to let go of his hate. Education from his parents helped him in the process.
Mother Lucille’s lesson
Incidentally, another NBA legend faced a similar predicament like Michael Jordan. Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal.
However, Shaq’s mother Lucille O’Neal’s advice would help him to let go of his hate. In other words, she would tell Shaq to judge white people as individuals and not through the actions of the past.
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Later on, mother Lucille’s advice would allow Shaq to develop a close relationship with his white friend Mitch Riles in Germany.
The post Just Like Shaquille O’Neal’s Mother, a lesson on Race and White People Changed Michael Jordan’s Perspective on Life: “It Would Be Very Easy to Hate People for the Rest of Your Life” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
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