Since the death of George Floyd on May 25, protests have broken out across the nation and people have spoken up.
The athletes that call UCLA home are no different, and many have made their voices heard on social media over the past week.
It’s our responsibility as the future leaders of this country to stand on what we believe is right. People with a high influence on the community have been gifted by God to help the less fortunate. Eliminate the silence. #BlackLivesMatter ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/fkQiYcExth
— DTR (@DoriansTweets) June 1, 2020
✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/0Re9ufvLZr
— Liyah (@_aaliyahjordan) May 30, 2020
Your silence is deafening.
— Lauryn Miller (@laurynmiller__) May 27, 2020
We need them other 3 officers locked up too.
— Seth Holloway (@SethHollowayy) May 30, 2020
Stand Up For Your People!✊🏿 #JusticeForGeorge pic.twitter.com/mki9wlXztp
— Ree📞🙏🏿 (@TyreeT_) May 30, 2020
The persecution of Black Americans is and has been an issue that is life or death — speaking out against it is not something that you should be doing just to try to keep up with the latest social media trends.
— kai (@hiyakaiya) June 1, 2020
Athletes of various races and backgrounds have come out in support of the movement, emphasizing the importance of racial solidarity.
❗️❗️❗️ #BlackLivesMatters pic.twitter.com/aik5lItH9a
— Natalie Chou (@NatalieChou1) May 29, 2020
As a white man I’ve always felt nervous to speak up about these racial issues because I didn’t want to say the wrong thing. I’ll never know what it’s like to be a person of color in America. But being silent is worse and I refuse to be part of the problem.
— Bryce Alford (@balford20) May 29, 2020
I have never felt unsafe when police are around. I am embarrassed to admit that just this week I realized the full extent of that privilege. These protests/unrest shouldn’t stop until there is tangible steps towards making everyone feel like I have my whole life. (1/2)
— Mike Mapes (@micmap219) May 31, 2020
Regardless of what’s happening in the world. Don’t let the hatred from racist, diminish the love from white people raised correctly. We thank you and love you.
— DTR (@DoriansTweets) May 29, 2020
Bruins who have moved on from Westwood have spoken out as well, including All-Americans, All-Stars, Hall of Famers and more.
It’s about respect & human decency and how we share that with each other. #ShowYouCarehttps://t.co/NqMDQSPeLX
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) May 31, 2020
Do your Part 🙏🏽 stay safe https://t.co/8rrQCAQBJ8
— Jaylen Hands (@JHANDS08) May 31, 2020
Certain conditions continue to exist in our society, which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the poor
— Josh Rosen (@josh3rosen) June 1, 2020
A “step”[Kneel] in a direction that’s right on C-U-E; Compassion, Understanding, Empathy… #universalsolidarity pic.twitter.com/UBRhNaHamA
— Marques Johnson (@olskool888) June 1, 2020
UCLA Athletics made a brief statement on the matter Saturday night, accompanied by a Martin Luther King Jr. quote and a photo of him speaking on campus April 27, 1965. Several Bruin coaches have joined in on the discussion as well.
We stand in solidarity with the Black community and all who continue to act, educate and speak out against injustice. Be the change! pic.twitter.com/wQ1j6j40rI
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) May 31, 2020
— Kelly Inouye-Perez (@Coach_Inouye) June 1, 2020
My heart is broken, heavy, and sad. I need to be the white person he is talking about and to. I need to figure out quickly, how to love and lead well in this space. I need to make a difference. This injustice breaks Jesus’s heart. It must break mine as well. #GeorgeFloyd https://t.co/jUPOweoJYu
— Cori Close (@CoachCloseUCLA) May 27, 2020
Racism, Systematic or otherwise and the killing of black people is everyone’s fight! I don’t know who she is…we acknowledged each other while I was on my run. Salute to her for using her voice however she could. 🖤✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻 #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/xaliQnQVMr
— Tasha Brown (@CoachTasha) May 30, 2020
My heart aches for the hurt in our country. We must address racial prejudice and violence. We must do better. I don’t know what my black brothers and sisters must feel right now, but I see you. Let’s find a way to come together and create real change.
— Chris Waller (@MCWaller) May 30, 2020
UCLA football coach Chip Kelly released a statement through the team’s Twitter account Monday, as he doesn’t have his own personal account to share from.
A message from head coach Chip Kelly: pic.twitter.com/AfiWQ8fvi9
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) June 1, 2020
Kelly’s statement has since drawn backlash from multiple players who have recently transferred or graduated because of its lack of specificity and connection to Floyd’s death.
But what are YOU going to do??? How is UCLA gonna be different and take that first step you are talking about?? Can’t ride the quotes of MLK forever. I wanna hear YOUR true take… https://t.co/ipyyOLZpWJ
— Bo Olorunfunmi (@theonlybolu) June 1, 2020
What does this mean? https://t.co/Pjayrc4vzm
— STEPHEN JOHNSON III (@SJ_III) June 1, 2020
Aint they suppose to have PR people for this
— Theo Howard (@theohoward2) June 1, 2020
https://t.co/r35lYQfZPj pic.twitter.com/6w9vwQ8pIF
— Soso (@sosobtmn) June 1, 2020
