'Privileged,' Utah Jazz star Kyle Korver's powerful essay on race in the NBA and America

What an incredibly powerful piece of writing from Utah Jazz basketball player Kyle Korver on playing in the NBA, on coming to understand his own racial justice blind spots, and -- beautifully -- the difference between guilt and responsibility.

Excerpt from 'Privileged' at theplayerstribune.com:

Two concepts that Ive been thinking about a lot lately are guilt and responsibility.

When it comes to racism in America, I think that guilt and responsibility tend to be seen as more or less the same thing. But Im beginning to understand how theres a real difference.

As white people, are we guilty of the sins of our forefathers? No, I dont think so.

But are we responsible for them? Yes, I believe we are.

And I guess Ive come to realize that when we talk about solutions to systemic racism police reform, workplace diversity, affirmative action, better access to healthcare, even reparations? Its not about guilt. Its not about pointing fingers, or passing blame.

Its about responsibility. Its about understanding that when weve said the word equality, for generations, what weve really meant is equality for a certain group of people. Its about understanding that when weve said the word inequality, for generations, what weve really meant is slavery, and its aftermath which is still being felt to this day. Its about understanding on a fundamental level that black people and white people, they still have it different in America. And that those differences come from an ugly history.. not some random divide.