I have a perspective to share. I’ve kind of seen the things floating with Boston and the topic of racism. Urging people around me to share my point of view. I haven’t spoken to anyone – Keri, Marcus, or Danny Inji – about my thoughts or point of view, but I think it’s a good conversation. I believe that racism, and / or systemic racism, must be addressed in Boston, and it must be addressed in the United States. However, I don’t like the way I grew up, in terms of focusing on a playoff game. It bothers me if – building racism, right? It is used as a crutch or an opportunity for personal gain. I am not saying that is the case, but I think racism is now greater than basketball, and I think racism is greater than the third game in qualifying. So I want to urge the media to paint this narrative as well, because when it is portrayed in this way, it is insensitive to people who actually deal with racism on a daily basis: the constructs and limitations of systemic racism in our school system, inequality in education, lack of opportunity, lack of resources. Adequate housing, affordable housing, adequate healthcare, symbols, the list goes on. So I realize the privilege I have as an athlete. Once you reach a certain point, nothing you feel beats the experiences that people deal with on a daily basis. So I’d like to emphasize that as well. I understand the frustration now. I’ve seen what’s going on in sports and sports arenas with the two incidents, obviously with Russell Westbrook and Tra Young, and I’m pissed off, to be honest. I don’t think we should put it up, and I don’t think it’s okay by any means necessary. But when I look at the media and see these incidents linked to a framework of racism, yes, I think it is important to address these situations. But if the topic is about racism, then I think these incidents are incomparable, or those offensive comments do not compare to what systemic racism is currently doing in our society and what I have done in the past. Therefore it is important to frame it in this context. I think racism – I think not every Celtics fan, I know every Celtics fan in our arena is not a racist. We have people from all walks of life, races and colors who are fans of the Celtics. So I think painting every Celtics fan as racist would be unfair. Boston, however, we have a lot more work to do, without a doubt. Ridiculous confinement rate. Wealth disparity is embarrassing. Education inequality, and specifically in Boston public schools, should be better. There is a lack of resources there, a lack of opportunities. The token needs to be processed here in Boston, too. But if we’re going to talk about that, and this is what the media will bring up, I think there might be things on the sports scene. But in the real world things are at very different ends. So I definitely wanted to share my point of view. This is my opinion, of course, and people can challenge that. I definitely think, Boston, we have a lot of work to do. But that’s really all. I don’t really answer any questions, guys, I just wanted to share my point of view. Thank you.
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