Jeter calls for 'severe punishment' for racial hatred
MIAMI, Fla. — Former New York Yankees shortstop and current Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter, released a statement following the death of George Floyd.
Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvan was charged with third-degree murder, accused of having knelt on the handcuffed Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes on May 25.
It was a heartfelt and strong statement from Jeter, who tended to veer away from controversial social issues during his career.
Jeter's statement posted on social media is below:
I am deeply saddened by the death of George Floyd and feel the pain and outrage it has caused his family and people throughout the world. This is a narrative that has happened far too often with us as people of color. It is time for racial hatred to end and to be unquestionably recognized and responded to with severe punishment.
It’s encouraging to see people of all colors around the world speaking out and protesting another human tragedy that has too often been the death of a black person. No one should be excused from acts of racial hatred. Please do not allow anyone to demonize those who are standing up against these acts.
I hope that my children and nephews don’t have to live in a society where people are unjustly treated because of the color of their skin.
I hope that their white friends grow up to recognize that it is not only enough to verbalize their non-racist views, but also to participate at an active level to eradicate racism.
I hope we can all denounce the insidious signs of racial hatred and take action as human beings.
- Derek
Jeter's comments come a couple of days after current Yankee outfielder Giancarlo Stanton also sent out a powerful tweet, saying, "Enough is Enough."
https://twitter.com/Giancarlo818/status/1266898969956724736?s=20