kevINda

My Kingdom for a… Jersey?

Okay, so Chad Johnson did a moderately kind thing recently. He sent a homeless kid a jersey, presented him with a football camp scholarship (which Mr. 85 didn’t pay for — that was courtesy of Deion Sanders), and led an audience in a rendition of “Happy Birthday” for the homeless kid.

What’s the important adjective in this? I used it twice…

That’s right: homeless. The kid gets to go away (from the shelter) to football camp, wear the jersey, and come back when it’s all said and done to… the shelter. He’s still gonna be homeless. Homeless!

How much of your salary, Mister Eight Five, would it have taken to put this kid and his mom into an apartment? I’m not even talking about buying them a house. Just pay some freakin’ rent to get this kid a home. And you can write it off on your taxes. It’s not gonna make a dent in your wallet. But think of the impression it would make on this kid’s life. Think about what it would say to other professional athletes. Think about what it would say to other Black men.

Yes, you did something kind. Big whoop-tee-doo. The internet’s all abuzz about how generous and fantastic you are. But did you create any permanent, lasting mark on anything?

No, ninja. You gave the boy a jersey and sang him a song.

You can’t pay rent with a jersey. Oh, that’s right. He and his mom don’t have to pay rent. Because they’re HOMELESS.

- Inda