Gabriel Jesus believes that growing support for the Black Lives Matter movement comes from people being “exhausted” by the injustice and racism they suffer.
The footballer from Brazil and Manchester City has added his voice to those calling for reform in the wake of the death of George Floyd amid the demonstrations that swept the United States and beyond.
Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody on May 25, after a police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
Derek Chauvin was dismissed and charged with murder in the second degree, while the three other officers on the scene were also sacked and charged with assisting and encouraging a murder.
Numerous people from the sports community have spoken out with calls for reform and Jesus himself knows that racism’s ravages are going deep.
Racism is not an issue that has just started in recent days and it’s not natural, and people feel they’ve had enough and they’ve exploded,” he said, before reflecting on what seems to be in some quarters a wilful misinterpretation of the cause of Black Lives Matter.
Jesus explained that when he played for Brazilian club Palmeiras during a Copa Libertadores tie in Uruguay, he was once racially abused – the two-time champion of the Premier League and winner of Copa America is wearied to see frequently happening.
“I suffered a few times. I managed to uplift myself. I’m black and I’m from a favela. I’ve been able to learn from those experiences, but each reacts and feels differently and I have my way,” he said.
Jesus and his colleague from City will be back in action on June 17 when they host Arsenal from their coronavirus shutdown upon the resumption of the Premier League.
Despite the lay-off, the 23-year-old confirmed that when it comes to the famous intensity of manager Pep Guardiola, there was no let-up for the squad.
