The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom inspired a young Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, known as Lewis Alcindor back then, to take a shot at activism, a high-risk move when you’re 7’2” and stick out like a sore thumb.
A year later, the 17 year-old basketball sensation “accidentally” found himself in the midst of the Harlem Riot after James Powell, a Black boy only two years younger, was killed by a white cop. But this was no accident, because the UCLA legend realized at that moment his true identity. “I was going to be black rage personified, Black Power in the flesh.”
In 1967, the NCAA felt that Black rage. Abdul-Jabbar led his UCLA team to an undefeated season and NCAA championship victory. However, the NCAA fired back a few days after the win by banning dunks. Its intent was so obvious it was nicknamed the “Lew Alcindor Rule.”
Later that summer, the young UCLA star stood alongside the world’s most iconic Black athlete-activists to support Muhammad Ali’s opposition against entering the Vietnam War. Abdul-Jabar was one of the youngest attendees but still understood the assignment.
Since his youth, Adbul-Jabbar has been Black rage personified and it resonates with all of us. We can use that fiery spirit of resistance as fuel to dunk racism right on its head to create a better future.