STANDING FOR EQUALITY
Feat. Weston McKennie
History is not about the past. It’s about the future. For Weston McKennie, that’s why Black Lives Matter is only growing in support months after riots broke out over George Floyd’s death. It’s about people addressing an engrained problem to make the world better. With bigger platforms than ever, many of those people are athletes. “The sports world reaches billions of people,” he says. “So I really think it’s the best way to bring awareness to the ongoing situation.”
Human issues have no borders.
As a Dallas native playing in Europe, Weston was the first athlete abroad to pay tribute on the field to George Floyd. A simple armband stating “Justice for George” helped Black Lives Matter gain traction In Germany. “Then it became a big deal in England,” says Weston. He describes displays of support then spreading to Morocco and France. “It’s everywhere.”
“I’m not going to shut up and dribble.”
Focus on what’s important
Weston believes athletes have a responsibility to continue to hold the narrative of Black Lives Matter. In today’s world of short attention spans, unending content and changing trends, it’s up to people who have a platform to lead by example and show people what’s important. “I don’t want to be just known as a great soccer player.” he says. “I want to be known as me.”
“I want to be known as a great human being. And that’s what I’m starting to do—create my legacy. This version of me that I love.”
For Weston, there’s nothing political about standing up for people who are treated unfairly. “I would like to think no one likes to see someone treated like dirt,” he says. He feels kneeling during the national anthem is a powerful form of protest because you’re still playing the game, but you’re taking a moment to demonstrate that your country can do better. “I’m representing a country that possibly doesn’t even accept me—just for the color of my skin.”
For a new world
“I believe the goal is to push the hand of the higher power here in America to make a change, to find a solution and to stop history from repeating itself.”
