Korver Returns To Participate In Discussion on White Privilege and Systemic Racism

OMAHA, Neb. -- Milwaukee Bucks guard Kyle Korver returned to his alma mater on Sunday night to participate in a discussion on white privilege and systemic racism. The 2003 Creighton graduate and 2018 Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame inductee was joined by 2007 Creighton alum Josh Dotzler and current women's basketball junior guard Rachael Saunders before an audience that included current Bluejay student-athletes and staff in addition to many more on the school's YouTube channel.

Topics discussed by the trio included the election system, invisible racism, voter suppression, police reform, the wealth gap, peaceful protests, the Black Lives Matter movement, the push by some to defund the police, Korver's experience in the NBA Bubble, and the powerful platform that athletes possess.

"We're not saying one way is better than the other," noted Saunders. "We're not saying 'you're right and I'm wrong'. We're giving resources as to how we can become more educated on these topics and be more open to having those discussions whereas these topics of racism and privilege might not be so daunting."

"Perfection is not the goal, but progress is," added Dotzler. "We've all messed up and made mistakes. We've taken stands that maybe today we would stand a little differently. I would just encourage you. Be bold. Be willing, but know that you're going to make mistakes. You always have the opportunity to grow from those and to learn."

"These are conversations," Korver reminded the audience. "You don't have all the answers, but you walk into them and you talk it out and it's really good. This is how we go forward. You're not perfect, you don't have all the answers, but this is how we go forward."

The discussion can be watched in its entirety below:

In recent years Korver has become one of the NBA's more vocal players when it comes to speaking about white privilege and systemic racism. His 2019 essay for The Players' Tribune, Privileged, has generated nearly 100,000 retweets and 200,000 likes on Twitter.

When the topic turned to privilege, Korver told the captivated crowd of some of his advantages in everyday life. "There's lots of privileges in life and white privilege is one of them. I have many privileges. I am white. I am a man. I am straight. I am tall. There's a lot of things I didn't ask for or work for, they were given to me. And because of that they've given me some advantages in life."

Saunders touched on the values she's learned at Creighton to help her become more accepting of others. "I think the biggest building block that we can make in order to not only be less segregated in a way, but also to be more accepting of each other. And that's a big thing that we focus on here at Creighton. That cura personalis and that magis core value. That sense of community, a sense of culture here at Creighton and that being the basis of what we do. The way that you can build a community is by listening to others, by having those hard discussions like we're having tonight. By being open to hearing other people's perspectives rather than just saying, 'I don't agree with that' and shutting down the conversation. That's where you make progress, and that's the biggest part about why we're doing this here today is to build that education."

On the topic of Black Lives Matter, the 17-year NBA veteran discussed his decision to wear that phrase on the back of his uniform during the completion of the 2019-20 season. "A really pivotal moment for me in my journey in this was trying to understand Black Lives Matter," said Korver. "Trying to walk into this with open heart and an open mind and really trying to empathize with the people who were saying this in black and brown communities. Trying to do that was what shifted my heart. That was the starting point for me. So why did I put it on my jersey? I wanted to honor that moment. I wanted to honor the struggle. Change is hard. Change is really, really hard and this is some of the hardest change to happen."

One of the more poignant parts of the night came when the group discussed the high-profile platforms they have as a recognizable athlete.

A father of four, Dotzler said his perspective changed when he became a parent. "It's just amazing that they're always watching. We come to a game and they're watching how players act and how they interact with each other. Part of it is recognizing as student-athletes and coaches that we do have a platform and people are watching. And we get to decide what people see. When you recognize the power that you have, and then you intentionally decide to use it for good, it makes a difference."

Korver echoed Dotzler's thoughts. "We all have a platform, and it's up to you to choose how you want to use it. You do your best to stand for what's right. You try to be respectful, but you don't water down the message. It's really important. It's a lesson I've had to learn. There's a cost to making a stand. You might lose friendships. You might damage some relationships...that's up to you to choose how you want to use it, but I think it's important that you try and it's important that you get on the journey."

Korver was part of the Milwaukee Bucks this summer when the franchise staged a brave and historic strike during the NBA Playoffs following the shooting of Wisconsin native Jacob Blake, something that reverberated through the sporting world as games were also postponed in the WNBA, MLS and Major League Baseball. He was identified as an outspoken leader during tense league-wide meetings in the days that followed as the NBA players decided the steps that were needed before ultimately electing to resume their season. Korver took the audience inside some of the discussions the franchise had inside the locker room and with state government officials on that historic night.

As a student-athlete at Creighton, Korver helped guide the Bluejays to NCAA Tournament appearances in each of his four years from 1999-2003, earning All-America status in his senior season. He has been inducted into both the Creighton Athletics and Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame and Creighton retired his No. 25 jersey in 2018. In addition to his success on the court, Korver is also noted for his philanthropy and community service. He has initiated coat drives for children in need, collected thousands of pairs of socks for a homeless shelter, sponsored construction of wheelchair ramps for families and reached out to at-risk youth. He has also traveled internationally in support of NBA's Basketball Without Borders outreach program. The Kyle Korver Courts inside the Championship Center are named in his honor. He was conferred the degree of Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa, in 2019.

Tonight's appearance was the third straight year that Korver returned to Omaha. Just 18 months ago Korver generated national attention for his speech at Creighton's spring commencement. In 2018 Korver was inducted into the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame alongside his college coach, Dana Altman.

Korver is not the only NBA alum who will speak to the Creighton community. Current Memphis Grizzlies forward and 2007 graduate Anthony Tolliver is scheduled to return to campus next Sunday.

Korver Returns To Participate In Discussion on White Privilege and Systemic Racism

Players Mentioned

Rachael Saunders

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