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Bucks' Brogdon: White supremacy in America is 'domestic terrorism'

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Having spent five full years living in Charlottesville, Va. while starring for the Virginia Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks guard and reigning Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon is well positioned to weigh in on the events that transpired in the small college town over the previous week.

"To see this happen in a place that I call home is sort of jarring for me," Brogdon told Sports Illustrated. "But if I were to be honest, the level of hate and blatant racism that still dominates the minds of so many Americans today - it's not shocking to me. I think at the end of the day, you have to call it what it is: I think it is white supremacy and I think it's domestic terrorism."

Brogdon cited LeBron James' leadership among his fellow athletes in decrying bigotry in the wake of white supremacist rallies which took place in Charlottesville last weekend. James recently denounced the words (and perceived inaction) of President Donald Trump, saying the Commander-in-Chief has made hate "fashionable again."

"I think he's been articulate in the way he's spoken, and he's been truthful," Brogdon said of the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar. "I don't think he's tried to shy away from being truthful, and making sure that people hear his voice. I think he's done an awesome job."

As to whether Brogdon would consider protesting the national anthem, a controversial demonstration closely associated with free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick and now Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch of the National Football League, the 24-year-old was non-committal.

"I'm not sure," Brogdon said. "I think everyone has different methods in which they're going to protest."

What Brogdon is sure about is that athletes must continue to have a voice, and not succumb to the notion they should just "stick to sports."

"I think it's extremely offensive. I think it puts us in a bubble. It simply implies that because we're athletes we don't have a say or opinion, or that we don't have the educational background to comment on things outside of sports. I just think it's absurd," he said.

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