Alvin Kamara Details Experiences with Racism, Social Injustice in Twitter Thread

Rob Goldberg @TheRobGoldbergFeatured ColumnistJune 4, 2020

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) carries in the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)

Bill Feig/Associated Press

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara detailed his personal history with racism in a lengthy Twitter thread Thursday.

Alvin Kamara @A_kamara6
My license has been valid for as long as i can remember, but for some reason i still peep the rear view a couple times when a cop get behind me... why? Because that’s what i was taught to do.

Alvin Kamara @A_kamara6
I’ve been in nice restaurants and been asked to leave because i can’t wear a hat, or because i was dressed “inappropriately” for the dining room. But, y’all know that mean i was just too black to eat in there that day lol

Alvin Kamara @A_kamara6
Black boys go from “cute little kids” to “threatening” within the same breath even if all they were doing was walking home. And A man walking in the wrong neighborhood becomes a casualty simply because he looks like he doesn’t belong.

Alvin Kamara @A_kamara6
I can kneel confidently because i know that with just that small gesture, a much bigger message is being conveyed. And also within that gesture the voices of those who no longer have a voice can be heard.

The comments come amid nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice.

Comments from Saints quarterback Drew Brees elicited backlash Wednesday when he said he wouldn't approve of players kneeling during the national anthem to protest.

"I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country," he told Yahoo Finance.

This was met with widespread criticism, including from other NFL players and multiple Saints teammates, such as Malcolm Jenkins, Michael Thomas and more.

Kamara didn't reference Brees by name but simply tweeted "oop..." on Wednesday.

Brees apologized Thursday in an Instagram post, noting that he "missed the mark."

"I recognize that I should do less talking and more listening...and when the black community is talking about their pain, we all need to listen," the 41-year-old said.

Kamara is taking the first step in sharing his stories.