Sat May 17 02:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: From NBA Legend to Lifelong Advocate for Social Justice
**NEW YORK (CBS News) – May 15, 2025 -** Basketball icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, renowned for his six NBA championships and six MVP awards, is focusing his energy beyond the court, advocating for social justice and equality. In a recent interview with CBS Mornings, Abdul-Jabbar emphasized the importance of fighting for freedom, justice, and equality for all.
His new book, “We All Want to Change the World,” delves into his decades-long commitment to racial equality in the U.S., exploring the pivotal role of protest movements in shaping his activism. Abdul-Jabbar cites civil rights icons like Rosa Parks, Emmett Till, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as catalysts for his passion, describing how their influence ignited a fire within him.
“When the switch was thrown and the lightning coursed through me, it not only fused all those parts in one walking giant representation of Black history, but it also energized me to continue the fight,” Abdul-Jabbar stated, reading from his book.
His activism began during his college years at UCLA, where he led the Bruins to three consecutive NCAA championships. Despite facing criticism and expectations to remain silent, Abdul-Jabbar refused to be deterred. He recalls being “appalled” by the ignorance of those who questioned his right to protest after Dr. King’s assassination, simply because he was destined for the NBA.
In 1968, Abdul-Jabbar boycotted the Summer Olympics in Mexico City, a decision influenced by the Cleveland Summit, also known as the Ali Summit. This gathering saw him and other prominent Black athletes stand in solidarity with Muhammad Ali’s refusal to fight in the Vietnam War, which led to Ali being stripped of his heavyweight title and facing draft evasion charges.
Abdul-Jabbar highlights Ali’s experience with racial discrimination upon returning from the 1960 Rome Olympics, where he was denied service at a segregated restaurant despite winning a gold medal for the United States. This injustice fueled Abdul-Jabbar’s determination to push for equal opportunities.
His activism has not come without a cost. Abdul-Jabbar has faced threats, including death threats, since the age of 17. “It’s like I’m a lightning rod, at times,” he explained.
He remains a vocal critic of political issues, expressing concerns about the direction of the country.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 20th book, “We All Want to Change the World,” is available now.
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