Last week, the internet was buzzing that the Brooklyn Nets hired Steve Nash as their new head coach, but the conversation would shift when ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith suggested that white privilege played a role in the Nets’ decision to hire Nash, arguing that no Black coach has been given a head coaching job with zero experience.
“I mentioned white privilege (Thursday),” he said. “I have a message to those who feel that I was wrong, that I need to apologize, that I don’t know what I’m talking about, etc., etc. I don’t give a damn what y’all feel. Y’all can all kick rocks. I don’t give a damn. I’m not budging from my position one inch.”
Speaking Wednesday during his introductory press conference as Nets head coach, Steve Nash gave a lengthy and thoughtful answer when asked to weigh in on whether he got the job because of white privilege.
“I have benefited from white privilege,” Nash said. “Our society has a lot of ground to make up. I’m not saying that this position is a factor as far as white privilege. … I think as white people we have to understand that we get served a privilege and a benefit (because of) the color of our skin in our communities. We have a long way to go to find equality and social and racial justice. I hope that I’m a great ally to that cause. This is something that Clara and Joe Tsai have really made an incredible gesture to help within our organization, but also in our communities to help stem the gap in racial injustice.
“I’m very sensitive to the cause and the goal. I’m not sure that this is an example that materially fits that conversation. But I own it, and I understand why that’s important to talk about it and that we do need more diversity and more opportunity for African American coaches and staff in all capacities.”
Nash stressed the importance of continuing the fight for equality after he added the NBA has been “built through African American players who were stars.”
“(It’s) really important that we continue to come together and fight,” Nash said. “At the league level, (Adam Silver) has been great at embracing the cause and the fight for equality. I want to be there to fight for that as well.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
“It’s interesting being such a supporter and ally of all that need for equality, to be put in the middle of it in a sense because it is near and dear to my heart. But I accept it, I want to be a part of the conversation, and frankly I want to be a part of change going forward.”
