Reverend Jesse Jackson is calling for any high-profile athletes to boycott attending the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville.
The players in the WNBA, NFL & NBA must discourage high profile athletes, basketball & football players, from going to the University of Kentucky & the University of Louisville. We must make economic life in KY inconvenient. This tactic has always worked for oppressed people.
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) September 24, 2020
The proposed boycott comes one day after the decision to charge one officer with three counts of wanton endangerment in the killing of Breonna Taylor.
However, both UK and UofL have been supportive and outspoken in the Black Lives Matter movement, protesting and marching since early June.
The Kentucky football team staged a protest in place of practice a few weeks ago, following the footsteps of many NBA teams. Mark Stoops and Vince Marrow also led the entire UK football team on a march through downtown Lexington.
To target both universities, who have been on the right side of history, is appalling.
Furthermore, Jackson said he would like to make economic life in the state of Kentucky inconvenient. Kentucky is already one of the more poorer states in the entire country, so trying to call for a purposeful dilapidation of a state’s economy by targeting money-making sports, which brings in revenue to other business during fall and winter seasons, such as restaurants and bars, is disheartening, especially during a pandemic.
Let us also not forget that John Calipari has also started a leadership initiative to help create access for minorities in college athletics administration.
Here is Kentucky Basketball’s Black Lives Matter video, which has been viewed over one million times:
We ask you to join us. pic.twitter.com/XYoFVnfHJX
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) September 1, 2020
Oh and also, shout out to the Cards.
We rise as one. pic.twitter.com/92oHLgSFvK
— Louisville Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) September 11, 2020