Jaylen Brown’s statement about Kyrie Irving’s comments on racism in Boston

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2021/05/jaylen-browns-statement-about-kyrie-irvings-comments-on-racism-in-boston.html



Jaylen Brown’s statement about Kyrie Irving’s comments on racism in Boston



Updated 8:04 PM; Today 7:52 PM




Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets hugs Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics before the preseason game at TD Garden on December 18, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts.Getty Images


By Brian Robb | brobb@masslive.com



Jaylen Brown became the latest Celtic to speak out before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on Friday night in response to Kyrie Irving’s eye-opening comments about hoping to avoid ‘subtle racism’ at the TD Garden ahead of his return in front of fans as a member of the Nets. Brown made a statement lasting four minutes to provide his perspective on the topic, his experience in Boston and his response to Irving’s remarks.

Here is his full statement:

“I actually have a perspective to share. I saw things floating around with Boston and the topic of racism. People around me urged that I should share my perspective. I have not talked to anyone - Kyrie, Marcus or Danny Ainge - about my thoughts or my perspective, but I do think it’s a good conversation. I think that racism should be addressed, and systemic racism should be addressed in the city of Boston, and also the United States.

“However, I do not like the manner it was brought up, centering around a playoff game. The construct of racism, right? It’s used as a crutch or an opportunity to execute a personal gain. I’m not saying that’s the case. But I do think racism is bigger than basketball, and I do think racism is bigger than Game 3 of the playoffs. I want to urge the media to paint that narrative as well. Because when it’s painted in that manner it’s insensitive to people who have to deal with it on a daily basis. The constructs and constraints of systemic racism in our school system, inequality in education, lack of opportunity, lack of housing, lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable health care, tokenism, the list goes on. So I recognize and acknowledge my privilege as an athlete. Once you get to the point where that financial experience overtakes the experiences people deal with on a daily basis, I want to emphasize that as well. So I want to emphasize that as well.

“I understand the frustration right now. I’ve seen what’s going on in sports and in sporting arenas with the two incidents obviously with Russell Westbrook and Trae Young, and I’m pissed, to be honest. I don’t think we should have to put up with that, and I don’t think that’s OK, by any means necessary. But when I look in the media and I see those incidents attached to like a frame of racism, yes I think it’s important to address those situations, but if the topic is racism, I think that those incidents don’t compare, or those belligerent comments don’t compare to what systemic racism is currently doing in our community and has done in the past. So it’s important to frame it in that context.

“I think that not every Celtics fan—I know that every Celtics fan in our arena is not a racist. We have people of all walks of life, ethnicities, colors, that are die-hard Celtics fans. So I think painting every Celtics fan as a racist would be unfair. However, Boston, we’ve got a lot of work to do, no question. Incarceration rate is ridiculous, the wealth disparity is embarrassing, the inequality in education specifically in Boston public schools needs to be better. There’s a lack of resources there, lack of opportunity. The tokenism here in Boston needs to be addressed as well. But if we’re going to talk about it and that’s what the media is going to bring up, I think a sporting arena, things might exist. But in the real world things exist to far different extremities. So I definitely wanted to share my perspective. This is my opinion, of course, and people can challenge that. I definitely think, Boston, we’ve got a lot of work to do. But, that’s it, really. I’m not really answering any questions, guys, I just wanted to share my perspective. Thank you.”


Bob


.

Kyrie Irving is a 100 watt light bulb that only puts out 40 watts.

Let's face it, Kyrie is no fool, he knew what he was doing. I shut him off when it came to interviews last night. That young man has issues I do not wish to address. I do wish that it did not get the attention the press gave it because it played right into his hand. Jaylen is smart young man, gives one pause for thought when a guy like this makes the statement he did. It is a terrible thing they and we are living through and have lived through all these years.

Are we any further along than when Bill Russell was here and dealt with what he did? What the team dealt with as a whole? Maybe a little, but the under current in this country is a scary thing. It is sad that this is still the main topic of cocnversation throughout our country. It is real, and wrong.

But Kyrie set this in motion with his statements. Just so he could say 'SEE, I TOLD YOU THEY WERE RACIST" He will never be a man this younger generation of players will be able to look to for guidance. He is too self absorbed