Over the weekend, Michael Eaves nearly didn’t come to work at ESPN, where he’s been an anchor since 2015.
“Was it because I was worried I might come in contact with an overbearing police officer or gun-toting wannabe cop paroling his neighborhood on my commute?” he asked while introducing a Jeremy Schaap segment over the weekend.
“Nah,” he said. “I’m a black man, a couple of years short of 50. I’ve lived nearly half a century with the possibility that I could end up with a gun pointed at me due to racism.”
Eaves went on to note why he did come in.
“I came for the tens of millions of young black boys and girls across this country who need to know that they are loved, their lives do have value, and they are worthy of every opportunity this nation guaranteed its citizens upon its inception: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Watch the entire, powerful speech below:
Beautifully said, @michaeleaves. Thank you for your bravery and candor. pic.twitter.com/gpo2Pf64Ci
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) May 31, 2020
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