NBA star Kyrie Irving has never shied away from addressing social issues, and in a recent livestream, took a strong stance against racism.
The Australian-born hooper shared his thoughts on race relations within society, both past and present, delivering a passionate rebuke of racial injustice and the historical oppression of Black people.
Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference Finals at Target Center on May 22, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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“Growing up in this society, just because you have this different skin tone, you have different rules to abide by — or you can’t be proud of your history because of skin tone, because people really got killed because of [it],” Irving stated.
“Do you realize how stupid that is? You know how ignorant you’ve gotta be to put somebody in a tree and hang them because they’re black? That’s probably the dumbest sh*t I’ve ever heard to be honest with you.”
Irving, a vocal advocate for equality, continued his impassioned speech by pointing out the hypocrisy and cruelty behind racial prejudice.
He emphasized that, despite being a public figure and a professional athlete, he has been subjected to harsh judgment and derogatory comments simply because of his identity. “You can judge me when I’m on a basketball court and say nasty things,” Irving continued.
Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks smiles on the court during the 2024 NBA Finals Media Day at TD Garden on June 05, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.
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“People have always said nasty things to me before. You don’t even fucking know who I am. I stand up for humanity for being a coexisting community where race, culture, class, and religion are not always at the forefront of everything we do.”
This is not the first time that the NBA champion has spoken out against racism. In 2021, before returning to Boston following his departure from the Celtics, Irving addressed the city’s notorious reputation for hate speech directed at opposing players and even its own athletes.
“It’s unfortunate that sports has come to a lot of this kind of crossroads where you’re seeing a lot of old ways come up,” Irving remarked.
Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks and Shaq’s OGs warms up during 2025 NBA All-Star Practice & Media Availability at Oakland Arena on February 15, 2025 in Oakland, California.
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“It’s been that way in history in terms of entertainment and performers and sports for a long period of time, and just underlying racism and just treating people like they’re in a human zoo, throwing stuff at people, saying things. There’s a certain point where it gets to be too much, so I called it out.”
Irving’s words reflect a broader conversation about the role of race in society and sports. While his comments have often sparked debate, his unwavering stance against racism continues to resonate with those advocating for a more inclusive and just world.
Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks walks off the court after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 18, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.
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