Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown wants your help; the Marietta native has put together an initiative regarding changing the name of Wheeler High, his hometown high school.
Why, you ask?
Named after confederate general Joseph Wheeler, Brown helped put together the initiative, including a survey, and an email and phone-in campaign for interested parties to share their thoughts on the potential name change.
The survey provides an explanation of the reasoning behind the initiative, which notes it began with “high school students, teachers, and community members who believe that the Wheeler community deserves a name that celebrates diversity, growth, and inclusivity, rather than hate and injustice.”
Jaylen Brown pens a message to his mom for her role in his activism https://t.co/VNRDk0DXuy
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 28, 2020
“I’ve been working with some kids from my high school,” explained Brown at the start of his media week press availability, “and I’m working on getting the name changed, Wheeler High School is named after a confederate.
“I’ve been introduced to a bunch of young ladies who have been pushing to get that changed. Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. I think it’s time to move to the future, so I tweeted out a link. If you guys can put some some some some power behind it, and retweet … it out, spread it around, hopefully we can get this done.”
That’s only one of several irons the Cal-Berkeley product has in the fire of his activist heart, as Brown brought the press up to speed on what else he’s been working on off the court in between seasons.
Brown still unsure if NBA restart hurt players’ fight for racial equity https://t.co/YlH41VI0h1
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 23, 2020
Regarding the Senate runoff elections in Georgia, the Celtic wing revealed he’s been working on something concerning those critical races as well.
“I was trying to do an initiative (regarding the runoffs),” he noted. “I still am. I think I might partner with coach [Lloyd] Pierce [of the Hawks] down in Atlanta if they allow me to just for people to get out and vote.”
“I think you have to be registered in Georgia to vote for the state Representatives and the Senate race. A lot of young people my age and younger don’t know that. My goal wasn’t to get them to pick one or the other. It was to get them out and to vote for diversity, for their voices to be heard because I’m sure they’re not even counting on the majority of the youth to be involved because I don’t even think they know that you need to re-register in Georgia.”
“December 7 is the deadline for the Senate race in Georgia, which will affect the entire United States,” Brown added. “I encourage the youth to get out and be registered in Georgia and vote.”
Jaylen Brown gives talk on importance of STEM education with NASA https://t.co/oIOfjiYWI9
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 2, 2020
Even with the presidency changing parties with the win of Joe Biden over Donald Trump, the Georgian forward doesn’t think much has changed from the perspective of activism towards racial and social equity.
“In my opinion, nothing has changed,” offered Brown.
“But we’ve got to still continue to push for the change that we’re looking for.”
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