If you’re a New York Yankees fan you probably know a thing or two about Derek Jeter. The former star shortstop, who is currently a minority owner with the Miami Marlins, grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan with interracial parents. Jeter himself is biracial, and he detailed the injustices and racism he experienced on ESPN’s Harold Reynolds “Baseball Tonight” segment.
“When I grew up, at the time interracial marriage was not as common as it may be nowadays,†Jeter said. “Growing up, every time you went somewhere with just one of your parents, people would look at you and they’d wonder who’s this person you’re with. When you went out to eat or to a store with both parents, you really got some uncomfortable looks.
“But my parents were very direct with me, and my sister as well, that you have to make sure that you surround yourself with people of all nationalities, all colors and don’t let anyone talk down to you because of your race. Stick up for yourself.
“You get to a point and say, ‘When is it going to stop and how many more tragedies?’†Jeter said. “George Floyd, Ahmaud Arber, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s countless others that people never even hear those stories, and something needs to change and it gets to a point where you say enough is enough.â€
“You’ve got to talk about it,†he said. “You’ve got to have those conversations and they’re uncomfortable. but you’ve got to force them. That’s the only way you’re going to be able to change. And you have to listen. That’s the key. You have to be willing to listen. Don’t just hear. Listen to what they’re saying and try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, which is very difficult.