Instead of talking about the achievements of today’s athletes on the court, NBA great Oscar Robertson discussed what today’s athletes are accomplishing off of it. Or, rather, what some of them are not accomplishing.
With fellow outspoken legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell looking on as he accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award at last night’s NBA Awards, Oscar Robertson lauded how LeBron James has used his public platform to be vocal about the injustices that are present in modern society.
While Robertson was complimentary of James and other black NBA players for their social activism, he also took the time to question why more white players don’t speak up as well.
“They’ve seen some injustice in the streets or wherever it might be, it might be almost anywhere, and they’re stepping up. But the only thing that really bothers me is, where are the white athletes when this is happening?” Robertson said. “This is not a black athlete problem. You see injustice in the world. It’s all around you. Just because LeBron steps out, I’m glad he does. I hope some other players—because this is what they believe—I mean, what do you want players to do? Shut up and dribble? I think it’s time for them to say what they want to say about life and about politics and things about the street and whatnot. And about education.”
Robertson, who dealt with overt racism throughout his high school and college career, went on to say he hopes “the whites and the blacks get together” to speak out about important issues.
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