Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown is speaking his mind about racism ahead of the Celtics game against the Philadelphia 76ers in London on Thursday, mainly pointing a finger of blame at President Donald Trump.
Brown asserts that Trump has only exacerbated racism issues, not helping.
“Racism definitely exists across America today. Of course it’s changed a lot—and my opportunities are far greater than they would have been 50 years ago” Brown said in an interview with Donald McRae of the Guardian.
“So some people think racism has dissipated or no longer exists. But it’s hidden in more strategic places. You have less people coming to your face and telling you certain things. But Trump has made it a lot more acceptable for racists to speak their minds.”
“Racism definitely still exists in the South,” Brown said. “I’ve experienced it through basketball. I’ve had people call me the n-word. I’ve had people come to basketball games dressed in monkey suits with a jersey on. I’ve had people paint their face black at my games. I’ve had people throw bananas in the stands.”
Brown had praise for Colin Kaepernick and Brown pointed toward Trump’s Twitter feud with LaVar Ball regarding the detainment of LiAngelo Ball for shoplifting in China as one of the issues he has with the president.
Brown also talked about his own experience with racism during his upbringing in Marietta, Georgia.
