Note; This was orginally posted on March 2nd. Since Malcolm has now been signed by New Orleans, decided to repost with some edits.
Note; This is an article I sent out to a few places with no luck.
The photo didn’t transfer to WordPress.
On Friday Night, Feb 21st, the Cooper Series at Swarthmore College presented
Beyond the Field: Activism, Athletics, and Empowerment in the Modern Political Era featuring Malcolm Jenkins, All Pro Safety for the Philadelphia Eagles in a moderated discussion with Assistant Professor of Sociology & Anthropology and Black Studies Nina Johnson.
Despite the temperature hovering under 30, the LPAC auditorium was jammed.
The first half consisted of questions from Professor Johnson, followed by audience questions.
Malcolm Jenkins is as well-known for his off the field activities as well as his his athleticism.
He is a co-founder, with his mother, of the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation
(see www,malcolmJenkinsfoundation.org), whose mission statement says
“We aim to empower youth to transcend the limits of their circumstance and
reach their full potential.”
During the conversation, he said that “When I take off my helmet, I’m still a black man”.
He has been involved with what Nina Johnson calls “the criminal legal system” rather than the legal justice system, as many feel there is not really justice for
the many incarcerated, especially men of color. Malcolm and Nina have been
involved with work at Graterford and other Pa. Prisons.
As he said in an interview in Philadelphia Magazine,
“My dad always told me: You don’t know what you don’t know.”
Yet he has also been a player who has done ride-alongs with Philadelphia Police to get a sense of their experience.
Malcolm was one of many players to raise his fist in the pre game as a sign of
solidarity with other players who protest.
Malcolm spoke about the need for dialogue with those who disagree with us
and the need to listen to different perspectives.
Too may of us live in our own personal spoken and internet echo chambers.
That’s a reason to listen to other voices, whether on radio, TV or the ‘net.
He is a co-creator of, with Anquan Boldin, of The Players Coalition.
I also heard a new application of an old term.
Most recently, I thought of Abolitionists, as those against the Death Penalty. Now, according to Professor Johnson, this means those who want to end what some call “the prison industrial system”.
His website, Malcolm Jenkins27.com, talks about his
clothing store, Damaru Saville, among other projects,
including an in process documentary Black Boys,etc.
robertthesmall 