Michael Jordan breaks silence on US gun violence

By Ovunc Kutlu

NEW YORK

Basketball legend Michael Jordan broke his silence Monday and spoke out against the deadly shootings of black men and targeting of police officers across the U.S.

“I was raised by parents who taught me to love and respect people regardless of their race or background, so I am saddened and frustrated by the divisive rhetoric and racial tensions that seem to be getting worse as of late," Jordan said in a statement posted on theundefeated.com.

The six-time NBA champion also referred to the murder of his father James Jordan in 1993 as "a senseless act of violence".

Jordan said he has been "deeply troubled" by the recent deaths of blacks and the killing of police officers, adding that he grieves with the families who have lost loved ones.

The 53-year-old, who is also the owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets NBA team, called for action that "people of color receive fair and equal treatment" and police officers are respected and supported, through a peaceful dialogue to achieve constructive change.

Often referred to as the greatest basketball player of all-time, Jordan sought to go beyond words and announced that would donate $1 million each to the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s newly established Institute for Community-Police Relations, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense Fund.

"The problems we face didn’t happen overnight and they won’t be solved tomorrow," Jordan said, and urged cooperation to foster understanding and positive change.

On July 5, Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, was shot dead by two white police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The following day, Philando Castile was killed after being pulled over by police during a traffic stop.

The killings helped spark nationwide protests. Five Dallas police officers were killed by an ex-army veteran following a peaceful anti-police brutality rally in Texas the day after Castile was killed.