Michael Jordan donates $2 million to help with racial divide

The recent violence in the United States between law enforcement and African Americans has led Michael Jordan to voice his concerns about the issues at hand.

Jordan has never been the type to speak up on social issues, but this one struck close to home.

In a full statement released Monday to The Undefeated, the former NBA star and majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets announced he would be making $1 million donations to the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to ease tensions between the two sides.

As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers. I grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, as I know their pain all too well.

Over the past three decades I have seen up close the dedication of the law enforcement officers who protect me and my family. I have the greatest respect for their sacrifice and service. I also recognize that for many people of color their experiences with law enforcement have been different than mine. I have decided to speak out in the hope that we can come together as Americans, and through peaceful dialogue and education, achieve constructive change.

Unlike the statement he issued through his publicist on the 2017 All-Star game being moved from Charlotte and his usual exclusion from speaking on social issues, Jordan spoke on his own about the racial divide that has occurred.

Although he says that his donations are not enough to solve the problem alone, people in the sports world have taken to social media to voice their opinions on the donations. Some people, like New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, applaud Jordan but believe he could have made a contribution earlier.

Melo: “To answer your question about the Michael Jordan thing it was brilliant and about time… He is our face.”

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) July 25, 2016

While some might feel this way, others applaud Jordan for speaking out and making the donations, regardless of the timing.

To all reacting to Michael Jordan by saying “It’s about time,” I would say: It’s never the wrong time to do the right thing. — Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) July 25, 2016