Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: A Giant Off the Court, Reflecting on a Life of Activism
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the towering figure renowned for his unparalleled basketball prowess and equally formidable intellect, has long been a voice for social justice. Before dominating the NBA hardwood as a 7-foot-2 center, he was quietly observing, learning, and beginning his journey as an advocate for change. Now, at the age of 78, Abdul-Jabbar, a celebrated author and former Time magazine columnist, revisits pivotal moments of American protest in his 20th book, "We All Want to Change the World: My Journey Through Social Justice Movements from the 1960s to Today." The book, priced at $30 and published by Crown, is a reflective exploration of movements ranging from the Free Speech Movement and the Civil Rights Movement to the recent groundswell of protests ignited by the tragic death of George Floyd.
Abdul-Jabbar’s narrative is not simply that of an observer; it’s a deeply personal account of someone who has actively engaged with these movements, often experiencing them firsthand. His story begins in the summer of 1964, a period of intense social and political upheaval. As a 17-year-old high school senior, then known as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., he participated in a journalism program sponsored by Harlem Youth Opportunities Unlimited (HARYOU). This program proved to be a formative experience, thrusting him into the heart of the Civil Rights Movement.
A pivotal moment arrived when Martin Luther King Jr. announced a press conference in Harlem. The young Alcindor, the son of a New York police officer, felt a mixture of awe and trepidation as he attended the event. He recounts his insecurity amidst seasoned journalists, describing the scene as filled with "serious men in serious suits." He felt like an imposter, constantly worried he would be exposed as an interloper. "I showed my press credentials to the burly men at the door and wandered in, afraid that at any minute, someone would grab me by the arm and drag me out, shouting, ‘Who’s this punk kid pretending to be a journalist?’" he writes. His towering height only amplified his self-consciousness: "I was at least a foot taller than everybody else in that room, so I would be easy to find."
Despite his anxiety, Alcindor bravely posed a question to Dr. King. In a poignant Instagram post commemorating Martin Luther King Day, Abdul-Jabbar shared a throwback photo from this meeting, emphasizing the profound impact of King’s eloquent response. He remembers being mesmerized by King’s words and completely focused on the man’s answer. This encounter, Abdul-Jabbar acknowledges, served as a catalyst for his burgeoning civil rights activism. He left the press conference with a renewed sense of hope and a stronger commitment to Dr. King’s unwavering belief in the inherent goodness of humanity.
However, this optimism was soon tempered by the harsh realities of the era. Just a month later, in July 1964, Abdul-Jabbar witnessed the Harlem riot, sparked by the shooting death of 15-year-old James Powell by a white off-duty police officer. He had decided to cover a protest rally, but upon emerging from the subway, he was confronted with a city in chaos. The scene was a stark contrast to the orderly press conference he had attended with Dr. King. "I’d never experienced a riot before, and I was terrified," he writes. Overwhelmed by fear, his initial reaction was to flee: "I did what I did best: I ran as fast as I could away from the danger. Spurring me on was the knowledge that I was a pretty big target and that I didn’t know whether a bullet hitting me would come from a rioter or a cop."
The Harlem riot left him deeply shaken, filled with anger and confusion. He began to question the effectiveness of Dr. King’s message of nonviolence in the face of such systemic injustice. This internal conflict marked a turning point in his understanding of the complexities of the Civil Rights Movement.
Abdul-Jabbar’s quest for answers and his commitment to social justice never waned. Even as his basketball career took off, he remained engaged in activism. In 1967, while a rising star at UCLA, he received a personal invitation from NFL legend Jim Brown to participate in the Cleveland Summit. This gathering brought together prominent African-American figures, primarily athletes, to discuss and support Muhammad Ali’s courageous refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War.
A photograph from the press conference captures a powerful moment in history, showing Abdul-Jabbar seated at a table alongside his personal hero, Boston Celtics icon Bill Russell, as well as Ali and Brown. Despite his presence among these influential figures, and despite donning a "serious suit," Abdul-Jabbar felt like the least experienced person in the room. As the youngest invitee, he confesses, "I never felt more out of my depth." Nevertheless, he understood the significance of his presence and was determined to contribute in any way he could. "But I had been picked to join the team, and there was no way I would give it less than my all," he writes.
Throughout his life, Abdul-Jabbar has consistently given his best, using his platform to advocate for change and champion the importance of protest. He understands that protests are necessary to push the American government towards needed change. He often reminds critics of the historical roots of dissent in the United States, pointing to the Boston Tea Party of 1773, which is "celebrated in schoolroom textbooks as a political protest that helped establish the United States."
Abdul-Jabbar’s latest book is a testament to his lifelong commitment to social justice. He candidly shares his personal experiences, struggles, and evolving perspectives on the issues that have shaped his life and the nation. While he acknowledges the daunting challenges that remain, he remains hopeful that his work, including this book, will contribute to positive change. However, it’s evident that he has long since stopped relying on external validation. The core message of the book is not one that seeks outside approval. Rather, he poses a fundamental question that he believes we all must confront: "Have I at least tried to make this country a better, more humane, more compassionate, freer place?" For Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the answer is a resounding and undeniable yes.
