Activism

Former Golden State Warrior Ralph Sampson Stands Tall for Oakland

Education was key for Sampson who wanted to graduate from college. Unbeknownst to the public, Sampson’s choice to pass up money for a college degree was a courageous step for him because he had dyslexia. That was the bigger victory for Ralph as he crossed the stage with a college degree in hand.

Published

2 years ago

December 12, 2021

Oakland Post

Today, Ralph Sampson is still credited with re-engineering the “Big Man” position, inspiring the likes of fellow Warriors Kevin Durant, Chris Webber, Kevin Garnett and others to diversify their play outside of the norm.

Special to the Post from Give to Change Foundation

Once known as the most heavily recruited high school athlete of all time, Ralph Sampson, grew up in Harrisburg, Va., and was the top high school basketball player in the country.

His 7-foot, 4-inch stature made him a true freak of nature. But it wasn’t just his size that was impressive — he could handle the basketball and run the floor like a guard. This skill had never been showcased by someone of his size. On the University of Virginia’s basketball team, he was celebrated with Player of the Year accolades and numerous offers to leave college early to play in the NBA.

But education was key for Sampson who wanted to graduate from college. Unbeknownst to the public, Sampson’s choice to pass up money for a college degree was a courageous step for him because he had dyslexia. That was the bigger victory for Ralph as he crossed the stage with a college degree in hand.

After graduation, he entered the NBA draft in 1983 and was the No. 1 pick by the Houston Rockets, where Ralph would later be known as one half of the “Twin Towers.”

Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon became a dominating duo in and outside the “paint,” with jaw-dropping performances through the 1980s. Ralph excited arenas across the country with plays that would constantly snatch headlines, until a terrible knee injury cut his playing days short.

But that injury didn’t stop Sampson from being selected into the Naismith NBA Basketball Hall of Fame. Eventually, Sampson was traded to the Golden State Warriors, where he played the Center position.

Today, Sampson is still credited with re-engineering the “Big Man” position, inspiring the likes of fellow Warriors Kevin Durant, Chris Webber, Kevin Garnett and others to diversify their play outside of the norm.

In addition, Ralph Sampson is now using his tall influence to give forward. He has a new Venture fund, charity and advocacy initiative, that supports small businesses and upcoming student athletes.

This is one of his motivations to stay active in the Bay Area, where he once played for our own Golden State Warriors. Ralph quietly worked with youth and business owners to assist them in various capacities. Gary Reeves, a local philanthropic contributor worked closely with Ralph to deploy resources back into the community at large.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

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1 week ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

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Oakland Schools Honor Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties

Every Jan. 30, OUSD commemorates the legacy of Fred Korematsu, an Oakland native, a Castlemont High School graduate, and a national symbol of resistance, resilience, and justice. His defiant stand against racial injustice and his unwavering commitment to civil rights continue to inspire the local community and the nation. Tuesday was “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution” in the state of California and a growing number of states across the country.

Published

1 week ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

Fred Korematsu. Courtesy of OUSD.

By Post Staff

Every Jan. 30, OUSD commemorates the legacy of Fred Korematsu, an Oakland native, a Castlemont High School graduate, and a national symbol of resistance, resilience, and justice.

His defiant stand against racial injustice and his unwavering commitment to civil rights continue to inspire the local community and the nation. Tuesday was “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution” in the state of California and a growing number of states across the country.
One OUSD school is named in his honor: Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy (KDA) elementary in East Oakland.

Several years ago, founding KDA Principal Charles Wilson, in a video interview with anti-hate organization “Not In Our Town,” said, “We chose the name Fred Korematsu because we really felt like the attributes that he showed in his work are things that the children need to learn … that common people can stand up and make differences in a large number of people’s lives.”

Fred Korematsu was born in Oakland on Jan. 30, 1919. His parents ran a floral nursery business, and his upbringing in Oakland shaped his worldview. His belief in the importance of standing up for your rights and the rights of others, regardless of race or background, was the foundation for his activism against racial prejudice and for the rights of Japanese Americans during World War II.

At the start of the war, Korematsu was turned away from enlisting in the National Guard and the Coast Guard because of his race. He trained as a welder, working at the docks in Oakland, but was fired after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Fear and prejudice led to federal Executive Order 9066, which forced more than 120,000 Japanese Americans out of their homes and neighborhoods and into remote internment camps.

The 23-year-old Korematsu resisted the order. He underwent cosmetic surgery and assumed a false identity, choosing freedom over unjust imprisonment. His later arrest and conviction sparked a legal battle that would challenge the foundation of civil liberties in America.

Korematsu’s fight culminated in the Supreme Court’s initial ruling against him in 1944. He spent years in a Utah internment camp with his family, followed by time living in Salt Lake City where he was dogged by racism.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford overturned Executive Order 9066. Seven years later, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco vacated Korematsu’s conviction. He said in court, “I would like to see the government admit that they were wrong and do something about it so this will never happen again to any American citizen of any race, creed, or color.”

Korematsu’s dedication and determination established him as a national icon of civil rights and social justice. He advocated for justice with Rosa Parks. In 1998, President Bill Clinton gave him the Presidential Medal of Freedom saying, “In the long history of our country’s constant search for justice, some names of ordinary citizens stand for millions of souls … To that distinguished list, today we add the name of Fred Korematsu.”

After Sept. 11, 2001, Korematsu spoke out against hatred and discrimination, saying what happened to Japanese Americans should not happen to people of Middle Eastern descent.
Korematsu’s roots in Oakland and his education in OUSD are a source of great pride for the city, according to the school district. His most famous quote, which is on the Korematsu elementary school mural, is as relevant now as ever, “If you have the feeling that something is wrong, don’t be afraid to speak up.”