In the aftermath of the Donald Sterling scandal, racism has taken center stage in the NBA and the wider world of sports and pop culture.
Charlotte Bobcats owner and basketball legend Michael Jordan recently shared his own experiences with racism as a teenager.
In a biography titled “Michael Jordan: The Life,” written by Ronald Lazenby, Jordan opens up about growing up in North Carolina during the 1970s, a time when the Ku Klux Klan held significant influence in the area.
These experiences played a significant role in shaping his views on race.
One pivotal moment for Jordan was watching the miniseries “Roots” and learning about the hardships endured by his African-American ancestors.
However, it was an incident in 1977 that pushed him over the edge.
A girl from his school called him a racial slur, prompting him to retaliate by throwing a soda at her.
At the time, he considered himself a racist and harbored negative feelings towards all white people.
It is important to note that these revelations are not recent; they were shared by Jordan years ago through Lazenby’s biography.
Establishing the timeline is crucial because there is no reason to believe that Jordan still holds any racist beliefs.
He has since grown and evolved, expressing his disgust with Sterling’s behavior.
Drawing a parallel between Jordan’s past and Sterling’s present actions would be misguided.
As Dan Feldman from NBC Sports points out, Jordan was just a young kid with a limited worldview, shaped by his limited experiences.
Sterling, on the other hand, has displayed hatred despite having countless opportunities to see the world differently.
Throughout his life, Jordan has exemplified his ability to transform negativity into positive outcomes.
One well-known example is how being cut from his high school varsity team fueled his motivation to become an exceptional athlete.
Additionally, his Hall of Fame speech shed light on how he used any perceived slight as motivation.
There are even stories of him convincing himself that opponents had insulted him, even if it wasn’t true, to fuel his competitive spirit.
Given this context, it is unsurprising that Jordan vividly recalls these childhood experiences and has used them to shape his character.
His journey from considering himself a racist as a teenager to becoming a respected figure in sports showcases the power of personal growth and transformation.
