Steph Curry is unafraid to use his platform to speak out about social issues.
And on Veterans Day, Curry elected to use his platform again, this time to commend United States troops for their courage and their efforts, and to draw attention to veterans’ issues that Curry hopes will become more important to the general public.
In a letter Curry penned for The Players’ Tribune, Curry shared several personal anecdotes about interactions he’s had with fans who criticize him for “disrespecting the troops,” and conversations he’s had with veterans who appreciate Curry’s efforts to bring social issues to light.
“Let’s respect — let’s celebrate — our veterans, by having a conversation about the actual ways that we as civilians, as their fellow Americans they’ve fought to protect, can hold up our end of the bargain. Let’s talk about the broken VA medical system, and traumatic brain injuries, and PTSD. But let’s also talk about homelessness, and unemployment, and mental health, and, yes, racial inequality,” Curry wrote.
Curry also drew attention to the fact that less than one percent of the population now serves in the military, so it’s imperative that civilians who do not serve take veterans’ issues to heart and work on behalf of United States troops to fight for veterans’ representation.
“We hear all the time on TV and social media about “supporting our troops.” But it’s not just about saluting them or thanking them for their service at the airport — and it’s definitely not just about how we observe the national anthem. Michael told me that our veterans need real action. They need real help with medical services, and access to jobs, and readjusting to society,” Curry wrote.