As the MLS community continues to express its outrage at the police killing of George Floyd, it’s vital that we center the voices of the Black community, learn about the systemic racism and injustice in the United States and offer our support.
Below are some of the profound words from the league’s Black players who have continued to speak out amid ongoing nationwide protests, as well as educational resources and actionable ways to support ongoing efforts.
Listen
I wish this never happened. I wish people listened/cared enough when we spoke about this in the past, yet here we are, again, stuck in this devastating cycle. Like the tragedy of George Floyd’s murder, this post is not meant for your comfort. My thoughts...https://t.co/NLb2YtYUcF
— Jeremy Ebobisse (@kingjebo) June 1, 2020
— Derrick Etienne Jr 🇭🇹 (@detienne_10) June 1, 2020
— Thierry Henry (@ThierryHenry) June 2, 2020
I wrote my thoughts down to help process the murder of George Floyd in my mind. Thank you to @mnufc for giving me this platform
— Jacori Hayes (@JacoriHayes) May 30, 2020
The link is in my bio and the Minnesota united webpage for the full essay
“Not… https://t.co/y0OiGe0CXe
I can’t sleep some of these nights! My mind just races and goes on and on at the amount of possible scenarios in where I lose my life or I’m harmed by a police officer who took an oath to protect us. The police force has lost its credibility, the CHANGE needs to start internally!
— Mark-Anthony Kaye (@MarkThEwizz) June 1, 2020
From George Floyd, to Amy Cooper, to Tom Austin...it is beyond exhausting. You can choose to be blind about the injustices, broken systems, and privileges...or choose to educate yourself and overcome your biases.
— Ike Opara (@ikeopara) May 27, 2020
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/QNDv66L1kC
— DeJuan Jones (@dejuanjones24) June 1, 2020
Learn
Includes helpful links from blacklivesmatters.carrd.co
- Anti-Racism for Beginners
- Black Lives Matter Ally Research
- Anti-racism resources
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
- PBS News Hour: Roxane Gay, Anna Deavere Smith and Tay Anderson on the protests’ hope and despair
- Black History Month Library
- More education resources
- Jeremy Ebobisse's playlist to learn about the experiences of the Black community and racial injustice
- The New York Times anti-racist reading list
Support
- NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
- Minnesota Freedom Fund (In Minnesota)
- Black Visions Collective
- Reclaim the Block (In Minnesota)
- Campaign Zero
- Until Freedom
- George Floyd Memorial Fund
- Minnesota United selling T-Shirt to benefit Midway United Fund
- Equal Justice Initiative
- The Bail Project
- Shop Black-owned bookstores
The MLS community has continued to speak out against racism and social injustice following the murder of George Floyd:
Major League Soccer: June 1, 2020
The entire Major League Soccer family is deeply saddened and horrified by the senseless murder of George Floyd.
We stand united with the black community throughout our country and share in the pain, anger and frustration.
We hear you.
We see you.
We support you.
We are committed to use our voices and the platform of our League, our Clubs and our players to continue to champion equality and social justice.
𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑@CharlieDavies9 recently hosted a roundtable discussion with current & former #NERevs players, along with front office member Sean Ndebele on racial injustice & the need for social change.
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 15, 2020
FULL VIDEO 👉 https://t.co/R1jc4Tdz9u pic.twitter.com/A3C06TDky1
LIVE: Critical Conversation on Racial Injustice https://t.co/u1v8aFrU8g
— dcunited (@dcunited) June 9, 2020
🚨 Now Streaming! Listen. Educate. Do more.🎙Bonus Episode 2 w/ Jeremy Ebobisse 🔗https://t.co/eAaGAuxXWl
— BSI: The Podcast (@bsithepodcast) June 12, 2020
🗣 @kingjebo joins the gang to talk about his life experiences as a black person in America and what things we can do to eradicate Racism. pic.twitter.com/F5y5ITclc7
#JusticeForGeorge pic.twitter.com/MWLFW1dlyr
— Ola Kamara (@OlaKamara) May 31, 2020
All LOVE H-Town 🧡 spread love, learn about each other’s stories. Accept all, no matter color, race, ethnicity, we all are 1! Stronger together! https://t.co/2X1Puk6tWY
— Christian Ramirez (@Chris_Ramirez17) June 1, 2020
I’ve rewritten this tweet 20 times but finding the right words to share has been challenging. Wrong is wrong, is wrong. There are simply no words to describe the atrocities taking place in our community to our black sisters and brothers.
— Zarek Valentin (@ZarekValentin) May 31, 2020
I’ll stand with you. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/prjfG6hKqL
— Sacha Kljestan (@SachaKljestan) June 1, 2020
Peaceful protest in support of #BlackLivesMatter. No more injustice! We need to erase the systemic racism that has been rooted in our country for far too long. ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/orEEPUyaYj
— Sacha Kljestan (@SachaKljestan) June 7, 2020
I wrote my thoughts down to help process the murder of George Floyd in my mind. Thank you to @mnufc for giving me this platform
— Jacori Hayes (@JacoriHayes) May 30, 2020
The link is in my bio and the Minnesota united webpage for the full essay
“Not… https://t.co/y0OiGe0CXe
My stomach turns to the point I can’t even eat when I see videos like this. I feel so sorry for my young Black King’s and Queen’s 👊🏾👑 Who just want a fair shot at LIFE .. and do not understand why their complexition makes them inferior #BLM https://t.co/292xTYNYIW
— Kamal Miller (@KMillz_00) June 1, 2020
— Jeff Attinella (@Jeff_Attinella1) May 30, 2020
The injustice in America brought so vividly into focus yet again.
— Stefan Frei (@Stefan24Frei) May 30, 2020
This isn't about a difference of opinion on a trivial matter.
This is about basic human rights!
We are all one people that deserve to be respected and treated equally.
(1/2) Growing up in Ohio as the son of an African American police officer, I have never felt racial tension as much I do today. The images I’m seeing across America are tough to stomach but I can only hope we’re finally standing on the precipice of change...
— Justin Morrow (@justmorrow) May 31, 2020
(2/2) I urge everyone to embody the change you want to see, turn this anger into action by registering to vote at your local, regional, and national levels so we can elect the leadership that will bring us closer to the world we want to live in. #BlackLivesMatter #justice #peace
— Justin Morrow (@justmorrow) May 31, 2020
It is not controversial to believe #BlackLivesMatter. They do, and until everyone is treated equal we must all do everything in our power to bring injustices to the forefront. I don’t have answers but i came across https://t.co/qEcSs4erXS and that’s what where I’m going to start
— Chris Seitz (@Seitzy1) June 1, 2020
#BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/BWXPkBRWdd
— Julian Gressel (@JulianGressel) June 1, 2020