"There's two split different Americas" - Jaylen Brown was upset with the racial double standard amid the 2021 storming of the Capitol
Basketball Network
Last updated: May 25, 2026
Following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, NBA players like Jaylen Brown highlighted a perceived racial double standard in law enforcement's response. Brown argued that if Black individuals had stormed the Capitol, the consequences would have been far more severe. This sentiment was echoed by other prominent figures in the league, underscoring ongoing concerns about racial injustice and differing treatment in America.
- The January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, where supporters of Donald Trump attempted to disrupt the certification of election results, exposed deep divisions in the U.S. Jaylen Brown pointed out a stark racial disparity in the aftermath, referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s idea of "two split different Americas." This observation gained prominence amidst ongoing social unrest, including protests against police brutality following the death of George Floyd. Brown contrasted the lenient treatment of the predominantly white rioters with the harsher responses faced by Black individuals for lesser offenses. He noted that while law enforcement was overwhelmed, the perceived difference in reactions between white and Black individuals involved in the riot was clear. Many in the NBA echoed this sentiment, with Kawhi Leonard citing "privilege" and Coach Doc Rivers questioning the hypothetical scenario of Black individuals storming the Capitol. Federal investigators subsequently launched a nationwide probe, leading to over 1,500 arrests related to the event.
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