I don’t recognize the city I’ve lived in for 40 years. City Hall has been overrun by hundreds, demanding our mayor be ousted. Capitol Hill has been transformed into a no-police “autonomous zone.” Graffiti has defaced my beloved town’s buildings, its sidewalks, and shops.
What has happened to the city on whose Supersonics team I played for three years? Is this the same city where I operated my physical therapy clinics for 30 years? Can this be the Seattle in which I ran for Mayor in 2009, and on whose City Council I campaigned, in 2019?
As a 7-foot 2-inch black man, I’ve spent my entire life confronting systemic racism. And I’ve surmounted adversities as harsh as any person – of any color – could face. (I’ve undergone four major surgeries, bankruptcy, and foreclosure that, this summer, will force me from my home after 38 years.)
But who is confronting Seattle’s adversities? Why do our Mayor and police chief continue to cede leadership, position and power, to the “vocal minority?” Who is speaking out for Seattle’s majority? Where’s the acknowledgement of the preponderance of citizens who, like myself, have been actively involved in developing our business community, political community, sporting community, and neighborhood communities for decades? All to be defaced in the name of what?
Yes, Black lives matter. As do White and Brown and Yellow and Red and LGBTQ lives.
Which is why I wear an “All Lives Matter” T-shirt. But what matters even more to me is to see my city run for the benefit of its entire population. To see its streets open, its stores unlocked, its police stations functioning.
Encourage the protestors to gather in a park. Open the streets. Remove the boards from windows. Put the police back in their precinct. Lead this great city, or get out of the way.
James Donaldson
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
