Michael Jordan will donate $2 million to groups working to end police-related shootings

Michael Jordan, the current Charlotte Hornets owner and legendary NBA player, announced that he will donate a total of $2 million to two separate charities (the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund) in an effort to improve the relationship between African Americans and law enforcement.

“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,” Jordan wrote in a first-person essay published Monday by The Undefeated.

“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,” he added.

This is a significant step given Jordan’s muted history of supporting social stances. For the majority of his public life, Jordan has kept his political and social opinions to himself.

In 1990, Harvey Gantt, a black Democrat, was attempting to unseat a race-baiting senator named Jesse Helms. Gantt tried bringing Jordan into his campaign, but Jordan declined, reportedly telling a friend that “Republicans buy sneakers too.” That quote has been attached to Jordan ever since. Though he never said it publicly, he also never denied saying it to his friend.

”You can’t be afraid of losing shoe sales if you’re worried about your civil and human rights,” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said of Jordan during an interview with NPR in November 2015, via Fox Sports. ”He took commerce over conscience. It’s unfortunate for him, but he’s gotta live with it.”

But as ESPN’s J.A. Adande pointed out in a January column, Jordan has done plenty of good for the country’s African-American community behind the scenes. He’s risen to a position of power no African-American athlete had ever reached before and helped lift others up along the way.

“Michael’s willingness to hire, support and promote minority leaders throughout his business ventures has been remarkable,” Larry Miller, president of the Jordan Brand told ESPN’s Scoop Jackson in December 2014. “He has always been focused on creating successful and sustainable businesses and has empowered minority leaders, including myself, with the opportunity to grow and advance those businesses.”

With this statement to The Undefeated and this contribution, though, Jordan is continuing to move closer to the front lines. Two years ago, he quickly said he was “outraged” and “appalled” for the “racism and hatred that Donald Sterling allegedly expressed” in a recorded conversation with his girlfriend. This statement, while carefully worded, carries even more weight.

“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,” Jordan wrote. “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.”