Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills is among the most socially conscious players in the NFL. And as such, he opted against the usual sun, sea, and sand vacation this offseason, instead deciding to take a social justice-inspired road trip through the American south.
Stills detailed his 10-stop (with several detours) trip in a Twitter thread Tuesday, including his visit to Selma and the Edmund Pettis Bridge and his participation in friend Colin Kaepernick's "KnowYourRightsCamp" campaign.
Last month I took a road trip through the south to see the work being done in the fight for equality and social justice. Didn't spend much time on my phone because I wanted to be fully in the moment.
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) March 7, 2018
Here’s a mini-journal of the things that went down (THREAD) --
Stop 1 // Tallahassee
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) March 7, 2018
Met w/ Dream Defenders to protest for fair treatment of incarcerated individuals. Was my first time on the front lines. Empowering feeling to be apart of! ✊🏽 Although those in charge wouldn't open a dialogue, we made our voices heard pic.twitter.com/FZoJDeaYj5
Stop 2 // Atlanta
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) March 7, 2018
Tons of roads closed bc of snow so we spent hours on backroads in GA. Weather had the MLK Center closed, but we were able to check out the resources they’ve built for the community around the center. pic.twitter.com/zA0CrRkdu8
Stop 3 // Charlotte
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) March 7, 2018
Flew back to ATL and drove to Charlotte for the Women's March. Wanted to go last year, so I was hype to make it this time. Our country needs more women in positions of power & leadership. Will always be a huge supporter in their fight for equality pic.twitter.com/5g4VVizAm3
Stop 4 // Lexington
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) March 7, 2018
Started the day speaking to classrooms with the Lexington Leadership Foundation. I shared some of my experiences growing up and talked about the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and making positive decisions. pic.twitter.com/GP6lKvQX9H
Stop 5 // Memphis
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) March 7, 2018
Sat down w these young men from GW CARTER to talk about their obstacles/challenges & offer myself as a resource. I’ve heard from them a couple times and am looking forward to seeing everyone out in Miami! pic.twitter.com/3vvuH11LVo
Stop 6 // NOLA
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) March 7, 2018
Was dope to be back! Got to catch up w a couple homies & participated in @yourrightscamp w @Kaepernick7 & his amazing team. Camp blew me away! It was an honor to be a part & connect w others that are like minded. Proud & inspired by the work my brother is doing! pic.twitter.com/xOycoV8i4L
Stop 7 // Jackson
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) March 7, 2018
Toured the Medgar Evers House. He fought for desegregation in MS & was the first NAACP agent in the state. He was assassinated in his driveway by a KKK member. They buried him in Arlington for his contributions to the fight for equality ✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/sHbJ0EWn6U
Stop 8 // Birmingham
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) March 7, 2018
Worked with an amazing organization @BetterBasics to encourage literacy. Went to a few schools to meet & read to the kids. Encouraged them to keep reading & developing new interests. Hit the field with the kids after for some ball pic.twitter.com/cvocoFNXpr
Stop 9 // Selma
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) March 7, 2018
Walked the Edmund Pettis Bridge. Everything you've read, seen, & heard about the history made there comes forward when you see it. No doubt one of the most powerful places I've visited. pic.twitter.com/nb6HyoXtpz
Stills - who knelt during the national anthem before every game during the 2016 season in a statement against racial injustice - said before the 2017 campaign that he'll stop his protest in order to focus more on improving the world through community activism.
One of my biggest takeaways is how valuable our time is to others. Next time you go to write a check think about volunteering your time instead. Mentorship is the most direct route to impacting the next generation.
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) March 7, 2018
