On Tuesday night before the Los Angeles Lakers' match up against the Sacramento Kings, which they eventually won, Kobe Bryant was at the center of everything but not because of the usual reasons. The public and the media have their eyes on him for his shirt carrying only three words but sends a powerful message. During warm ups, Kobe Bryant was wearing a black shirt that says "I Can't Breathe", obviously a tribute to Eric Garner of Staten Island, New York who died after after being choked by a police officer, all of it caught on video.
Eric Garner death is probably the last thing that America needs after the events in Ferguson. People are losing trust on the police force because of their way of bringing up the law. However, Eric Garner death happened and now, the country is further divided.
For Kobe Bryant, his shirt that was also worn by other NBA superstars days before, is not meant to divide America. He said he wore it to promote justice among all races.
"I think it would be a serious disservice to limit this to a race issue. It's a justice issue," said Bryant after the game.
Aside from Kobe Bryant, other Lakers player who donned the I Can't Breath shirt Eric Garner death tribute are Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer, Nick Young. etc.
"You're kind of seeing a tipping point right now, in terms of social issues. It's become at the forefront right now as opposed to being a local issue," he continued.
"It's really something that has carried over and spilled into the mainstream, so when you turn on the TV and you watch the news or you follow things on social media, you don't just see African Americans out there protesting."
Eric Garner death video
A few days ago, Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose also sported the same shirt as sympathy to Eric Garner death. He said that he was witness to deaths similar to Eric Garner's or Michael Brown of the infamous Ferguson shooting that lead to months of protests.
"I grew up and I saw it every day," Rose said. "Not killing or anything like that, but I saw the violence every day. Just seeing what can happen. If anything, I'm just trying to change the kids' minds across the nation and it starts here."
