Hunt and Peck

Jack Flaherty, Dexter Fowler, and Adam and Jenny Wainwright make powerful statements on racial inequality - A Hunt and Peck

The murder of George Floyd brought some Cardinals to speak out.

By lil_scooter93 Jun 3, 2020, 2:00pm EDT

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MLB: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals

On May 25 an unarmed black man named George Floyd was murdered by four police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The murder was recorded by cell phones from civilians nearby. The footage was published online and viewed by millions of people across the world, prompting several days of protest and civil unrest as people called for charges to be brought against the officers responsible. People are once again demanding justice and an end to the systemic oppression that brought us to this sad and tragic point and another black life lost.

Among the many calling for change are Cardinals players Jack Flaherty, Dexter Fowler, and Adam Wainwright, along with his wife Jenny. This is what they had to say:

pic.twitter.com/KyPIg5dQkJ
— Jenny Wainwright (@Mrswaino) May 28, 2020

I CAN’T BREATHE

Remember the names: #GeorgeFloyd #BreonnaTaylor #AhmaudArbery #TrayvonMartin #EricGarner #TamirRice #TanishaAnderson #MyaHallin #BLACKLIVESMATTER pic.twitter.com/ZGHXbYhRKG
— Jack Flaherty (@Jack9Flaherty) June 1, 2020

I CANT BREATHE pic.twitter.com/rfwtVFvTpN
— Jack Flaherty (@Jack9Flaherty) June 1, 2020

View this post on Instagram

Here’s the thing. I know it’s hard to fully grasp why black people are outraged. It’s hard to grasp unless you’ve seen people hold their purses tighter when you walk by, when you have people refer to you as “not black” when you’re not “ghetto”. When your parents have to give you a talk when you’re just a kid. “you can’t act like your white friends. you’ll get killed. they won’t” This is a generational discussion EVERY black family has. It terrifies you as a kid, and as an adult. You don’t understand why we know, those officers didn’t flinch at murdering that man, because he is black. The race card. We hold it. You tell us “it’s not about race” if we ever hold you to it. You don’t want us to have even that 1 bone chilling “privilege” of defense. You don’t want us to hold any privilege. We don’t hold the privilege of being a criminal, making a mistake, or simply taking a jog, the same as a white man, and being treated the same. He couldn’t breathe. He was murdered. They were gently fired from their jobs. This isn’t right. This can’t go on. (if you assume “you”, is you, and you’re upset about the generalization...... just think about that for a second)

A post shared by Dexter Fowler (@dexterfowler) on May 28, 2020 at 11:43am PDT

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I will remember your silence for the rest of my life. Businesses, friends, neighbors, teammates current & former. Silence is not ok. Now’s a good time to go out of your way to tell the world you stand by black lives. You don’t get to love me and not love all black lives.

A post shared by Dexter Fowler (@dexterfowler) on Jun 2, 2020 at 5:44pm PDT

Cont'd.... From Dex:

I appreciate the message bro. Your affirmation is actually needed. The silence can be hurtful so I respect the hell out of you for reaching out.
Would really be meaningful if you used your platform too!
— Adam Wainwright (@UncleCharlie50) May 31, 2020

So, here's my message to my white brothers and sisters out there....please reach out to your friends who have a different skin color than you. Encourage them. Tell them you love them. Tell them they're awesome. It's important. Our voices and actions matter to help us recover
— Adam Wainwright (@UncleCharlie50) May 31, 2020

A conversation: Retired African American MLB players on race, baseball, America | The Athletic

Statement from Major League Baseball | MLB.com

Cardinals speak out on social media | St. Louis Cardinals