Michael Jordan pledges $100M to racial equality, fans mock Virgil Abloh's $50 gift: ‘That’s 2 million Virgils’
As Black Lives Matter protests continue to rage across the U.S. in the wake of George Floyd’s death, NBA legend Michael Jordan, on Friday, June 5, committed to donating $100 million over the next ten years to organizations dedicated to fighting racial inequality.
“Black lives matter. This isn’t a controversial statement,” the owner of the Charlotte Hornets said in a statement. “The Jordan Brand is us, the black community. Jordan Brand is more than one man. It has always been a family. We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide, and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice.”
“The will, the work, the excellence the world has come to know is the result of one generation after another, pouring their dreams into the next. It’s 2020, and our family now includes anyone who aspires to our way of life. Yet as much as things have changed, the worst remains the same,” he further said in the statement.
Commenting upon structural racism, Jordan’s statement said, “Until the ingrained racism that allows our country’s institutions to fail is completely eradicated, we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of Black people.”
“Today, we are announcing that Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand will be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice, and greater access to education,” the statement concluded.
Craig Williams, President of Jordan Brand, said, “Through our Jordan Wings Program, we have been focused on providing access to education, mentorship, and opportunity for Black youth facing the obstacles of systemic racism. But we know we can do more… There is still more work for us to do to drive real impact for the Black Community. We embrace the responsibility.”
This massive commitment towards racial equality comes just days after Jordan spoke about the death of George Floyd. “I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry,” Jordan said. “I see and feel everyone's pain, outrage, and frustration. I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people in our country. We have had enough.”
Jordan’s donation was unsurprisingly met with cheers from all around. Many appreciated not just the sheer amount of money he committed to social justice, but also that instead of just speaking out, he was actually participating in the betterment of the community.
Many, at the same time, took potshots at other celebrities who had donated much less. Particularly at luxury fashion designer Virgil Abloh. One Twitter user wrote, “Bruh everybody making Virgil look stupid,” while another noted, “That’s two million Virgils.”
The Louis Vuitton artistic director last week criticized “looters” for targeting streetwear stores in Los Angeles while out protesting the death of George Floyd. He also shared a screenshot of a $50 donation to an anti-racism organization. Following this, Abloh was heavily criticized for both.