During a conversation last year with NPR, NBA Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar spoke candidly about his wokeness. Over the course of his nearly 50 years as a celebrated athlete, Abdul-Jabbar has engaged in the ever-evolving discussion of cultural awareness and the fight for civil rights, and, since his retirement from basketball, he has written eloquently about these subjects extensively.
Speaking with journalist Michel Martin, Abdul-Jabbar drew a contrast between his resolute activism and the undeniable business acumen of arguably the most influential athlete of the 21st century: Michael Jordan.
“You can’t be afraid of losing shoe sales if you’re worried about your civil and human rights,” Abdul-Jabbar said.