

Stephen Curry is over debating whether players have the right to peaceful protests and wants to talk about what he deems more important issues pertaining to veterans. (Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images)

A recent conversation with a veteran has renewed Golden State Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry’s pledge to use his platform to speak out on social issues. The two-time NBA MVP wrote about his encounter with a man he only identified as Michael in a lengthy essay on The Players’ Tribune on Saturday, arguing it’s time to cast aside the debate about national-anthem protests and instead have “a conversation about the actual ways” civilians can help veterans.

“Let’s talk about the broken VA medical system, and traumatic brain injuries, and PTSD. But let’s also talk about homelessness, and unemployment, and mental health, and, yes, racial inequality,” the 29-year-old wrote, making special note that it was Veterans Day.

“Let’s talk about how we can do better, to make their lives easier,” he continued. “Let’s use our platforms, and take this day, to talk about how we can be louder than all of this silence — and quieter than all of this noise.”

[Bill Walton apologizes ‘on behalf of the human race’ over UCLA shoplifting in China]

Curry made clear what he considers “noise,” including pointing out a recent social-media kerfuffle involving President Trump.

“I remember when I woke up on the morning that (I still can’t believe I’m saying these words) the President tweeted at me,” Curry said, referring to a Sept. 23 tweet, in which Trump withdrew Curry’s invitation to a White House ceremony to celebrate the Warriors’ championship.

Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017

Curry reiterated it felt “surreal” to be singled out by the president but said it helped inform his encounter with Michael, whom he met at Curry’s wife Ayesha’s restaurant opening.

“[Michael] happened to have served in Afghanistan — and he told me about how much he had been through, both physically and mentally, just in trying to transition back into society, and into his daily life. He offered some advice to me, about how I could help to raise awareness about some of the serious issues that veterans are going through — for example, with the Veterans Affairs medical system, and how its administration is broken. And he educated me on demographics — telling me about how less than 1 percent of the population today serves in the military, which makes it a real struggle for veterans, as a political constituency, to get the representation that they need,” Curry wrote. “How come those issues never seem to be a trending topic?”

Curry continued:

“We hear all the time on TV and social media about ‘supporting our troops.’ But it’s not just about saluting them or thanking them for their service at the airport — and it’s definitely not just about how we observe the national anthem. Michael told me that our veterans need real action. They need real help with medical services, and access to jobs, and readjusting to society. “At almost every turn our conversation took, Michael found some common ground: from talking about how he’s a Warriors fan (good, good, I like it), to — way more importantly — pointing out how most of the issues that military vets face at home are actually the same as the issues faced by a lot of America. Homelessness, unemployment, mental health and, yes, racial inequality — those are the issues that our vets are facing. These are mostly universal issues, which are being felt in every town in America.”

Curry tweeted a link to his essay that quickly began to go viral. While some of the replies to his tweet have been critical, the overwhelming majority appear positive, including several replies from self-identified veterans.

From a Veteran,



Thank You — 🔱V.. 🇵🇷✊🏽 (@Vice_J0) November 11, 2017

I am a Vet! I thank you young SIR! — Derek🙈🙉🙊 (@DerekDa93100240) November 11, 2017

Excellent writing and another veteran who supports your right to peaceful protest. — Don Watkins (@Don_Watkins) November 11, 2017

This is the first time Curry has penned an essay for The Players’ Tribune, and he has become increasingly comfortable voicing his opinion since his encounter with Trump. In late September, Curry defended his and other athletes’ right to use their platforms to a reporter who asked him whether his wealth made his opinion on social issues less pertinent.

“I’ve heard a lot of backlash . . . about how much money we make and ‘what are we complaining about?’ and ‘we’re in a bubble; we don’t have the same struggles and stresses of life [compared] to other people,’ ” Curry said (via ESPN). “And, obviously, I come from a privileged background with my dad playing in the NBA. I’m not denying that, but the majority of the NBA players come from the same backgrounds and socioeconomic situations that these criticisms are coming from.

“It gets lost. We have families. We’ve got people around us that are going through the same thing. How that all kind of takes shape is ridiculous to me — trying to minimize what we’re talking about because we have money. That doesn’t make any difference to us. And hopefully with that money, we can do a lot of good with it. We still have family and people that we are connected to, that we feel what real life is like.”

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