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Q: You were born in Florida, you live in Florida, and I’m obsessed with what’s going on in Florida.

Udonis Haslem: “Yeah, me, too. Yeah, me too.”

Q: And it’s not like George Floyd, where everybody could come together; it’s very subtle.

UH: “First and foremost, I’m gonna ask people out there to stop Florida Shaming us. Everybody ain’t down with what’s going on in Florida. I think people think that, ’cause you live in Florida, that you’re just down with the sh–. You’re not. I’m not down with it. I’m not happy with it. I happen to live there and I was born there, but that’s not my fault. Please stop Florida Shaming us, people. We’re not happy with what this man is doing. You know what I’m saying? Diversity, and inclusion and taking the things (away); we’re not happy about that. I sit on the couch with my wife and I raise hell. You know what I’m saying? I do. It’s very disappointing. And I’m also a father, a father of three – three Black men. I’ve got three boys coming up. I would love for them to learn in school about what the hell’s really going on, and what really happened. But that’s out of my control. All I can do is get my ass up and vote. That’s what I’m going to do. And I’m going to continue to urge everyone around me to vote. That’s all I can do.”

Q: Is it upsetting to you to see parents in these (school board) meetings, and they’re complaining about what’s being taught in schools?

UH: “Yeah, because at the end of the day, you’re complaining about what’s being taught in schools, but man, also, you took away the goddamn gun (laws), where you can buy a goddamn assault rifle at 18. So, like, I’m confused about, what’s the priority? We’re taking away education, and in the midst of all this gun violence that’s going on around the world, how about we drop the gun laws and make it easier for them to get guns? Sh– is confusing me. But once again, that’s why I’m not a politician.”

Q: So is there anything you can do? With George Floyd, everyone came down (and marched), and it was a very tangible thing. With the books and everything else now, what can you do?

UH: “For me, honestly, I had to re-teach myself everything that I was taught. When I started to realize what really was going the hell on here, I had to tap in and re-teach myself, and re-teach myself a lot of the stuff that I was taught; you know what I’m saying? I think you start there. And then next, you start to teach the next generation behind you. I have to tell my kids the truth. ’Cause I wasn’t told the truth all the time. So I tell my kids the truth. That’s what I’m doing.”

Q: You were always involved in Overtown and Liberty City with your businesses. What is the next step along that re-education path, from a fiscal standpoint?

UH: “Well, I’ve already partnered with a mental health and a drug rehab facility in Miami. I’m part of affordable housing. I’m part of medical marijuana – you should not be getting locked up for marijuana no more. Get your marijuana card, brothers. Do not let them pull you over and take you to jail for weed. We should not be going to jail for weed no more, Black man. Let’s stop that sh–. So I’m part of just letting people know what’s really out here. And also, providing jobs. I understand, with a second-time offender, you might have made a mistake. I will help you get a job. Because I know they’re not looking for you out there. And it’s hard for brothers to get a job that have made mistakes. So I help brothers that have made mistakes, and I help people who’ve just made bad decisions early on. So to help people, to sit around and say things, but I’m actually doing things – providing jobs, I’m giving you opportunities, I’m educating you. That’s the best I can do.”

(Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)