Retired SU and NBA player Etan Thomas denied seat on train due to racism

[Cooley Hurd]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2641604-former-nba-player-etan-thomas-shares-story-of-being-denied-seat-while-on-train?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national



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The former NBA player, who spent much of his career with the Washington Wizards, shared a story about a woman who told Thomas the seat next to her on a full train was occupied before accepting another man's request for the seat just a few moments later.

After he took a photo of her to share on Facebook with the story, she threatened to tell the conductor—who, as it turns out, was a fan of Thomas.

Here is the full transcription of his Facebook post:

Ok so I'm getting on the train and there are no open seats and I ask this lady if I could sit next to her (very politely and I soften my voice as to not frighten her) and she says someone is sitting here. So I go to the next seat. Now, less than 2 mins later a man (who happens to be white) asks if he can sit there and she says why sure let me move my stuff. So I have to say something so I ask ummmmm did you just not want ME to sit next to you ? Were you scared ? Not comfortable with a Black Man sitting next to you ? And she says lol smh don't pull the race card stuff with me I dated a Black guy in college. So the guy (who was a nice guy) said listen I'll get up and I said no need I'mma just take this pic and make a Facebook post about it. So then she says did you just take a pic of me ? Well I'm going to tell the conductor that you're over here illegally taking pics of ppl without their consent. So the conductor came up and said hey Etan Thomas love what you're doing in the community loved you with the Wizards big Cuse fan man the Knicks sure could use you .... And I said was there something you wanted to tell my man ? And she rolled her eyes smh some ppl I tell ya

If you're not familiar with Etan, he's a very dynamic guy:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etan_Thomas#Personal_life

Political activism and social causes
In September 2005, Thomas was one of several celebrities to speak at an anti-war rally in Washington, D.C. He also spoke out at the September 15, 2007 anti-war protest in Washington D.C. He regularly posts blogs for The Huffington Post.

Thomas actively supported Barack Obama's 2008 campaign for U.S. president. On August 16, 2008, he appeared with Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean at stops in northern Virginia as part of the Democratic National Committee's "Register for Change" bus tour to encourage local voter registration drives. Thomas gave speeches at two stops in Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria.

Described by NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul Jabbar as “The Poetic voice of his generation” and by hip hop artist Chuck D of Public Enemy as “A Portal of our future” Etan Thomas has made his mark far beyond the boundaries of a basketball court. Never afraid to voice his opinions he has been an outspoken pillar in the community. Recipient of the 2010 National Basketball Players Association Community Contribution Award as well as the 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation Inc Legacy Award. His body of work includes serving as a Surrogate for Barack Obama ’08 Presidential Campaign; A guest speaker with DNC Chair Gov. Howard Dean during the “Register For Change” 50 State Bus Tour Campaign.

In 2005 Thomas released a collection of poems called More Than An Athlete; In January 2013 he released Voices Of The Future a collection of poems and essays from young writers from around the country on topics such as Racism, Trayvon Martin, President Obama, Gun Violence, Aids etc. On May 2012 he released his 2nd book called Fatherhood (Rising To The Ultimate Challenge) and started a Fatherhood Movement in which he goes from city to city holding panels and town hall meetings to discuss Fatherhood. In each city he recruits different celebrities to join him in inspiring an entire generation. He takes his message to prisons, Universities, churches, high schools, middle schools and various conventions including The NAACP convention and The Congressional Black Caucus. His writings have appeared in CNN, ESPN, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, Hoopshype.com and slamonline, as well as his personal website and Twitter account.

[Bluenorthwest]

1. Etan Thomas is a most excellent person, I'm no sports fan but he writes good poetry and

says good things and I hear tell he was good at his game as well.