Black Lives Matter Movement Hits Home For Moon

If the world is ever to take a stand against racial injustice and stop violence against Black people, the tragic deaths of these three individuals will have played a big role.

For Edmonton Stingers star point guard Xavier Moon, it’s brought back painful memories of his past.

His stepfather Elbert Clyde Wilson was murdered in a racially-charged act of gun violence on Apr.20, 2016.

“When people ask me how I feel about it, it’s hard to really express, because, growing up in the south, it’s pretty normal. It wasn’t a surprise when it happened,” said Moon. “The biggest surprise for me was the movement and seeing people protest. Seeing professional athletes and celebrities letting their voice be heard and taking a stance against something that has gone on for a long time. It needs to stop.”

Wilson was shot and killed by his neighbour, while outside cutting his grass.

Wilson’s killer, Franklin Price was sentenced to 30 years in prison. His death had a big impact on Moon and his family.

Every time Moon hears about a murder like Floyd or Taylor’s, he can’t help but feel pain for their families. He’s walked in their shoes and felt the pain of losing a loved one to a senseless crime. “I can’t help but not think about my step-dad,” said Moon.

“These people they’re killing, have kids, and you’re not just taking the life of an innocent person, you’re taking away the life of a parent and their kids have to grow up without a parent. It’s devastating.

“My mom has never really been herself since it happened. She lost a piece of herself that day. My little brother and sister, that was their dad, and he was like a dad to me too.

“He was the sole provider for my mom and brother and sister, and when he was taken, everything they worked towards was taking away from them.”

Price tried to cover up the murder to police investigators telling them he saw a red truck pull up, a man get out and shoot Wilson. He was arrested and charged with Wilson’s murder a few days later.

“He came over to my momma’s house a couple days after the murder to console her. He acted like he did nothing. That’s crazy,” said Moon. “You kill him and then you try to console my mom? I can’t wrap my head around it.”

Growing up, Moon said his family was always cordial towards other people of different races. It’s one of their family values, but after the death of his step-dad, he had to re-enforce those values.

“My mom, I wouldn’t say she hated white people, but after that happened she didn’t want to talk to anyone who was white,” recalled Moon. “I had to have a talk with her. I understand where she’s coming from, but everyone isn’t the same.”

Over the last few months, there has been a dramatic shift in focus of people’s mindsets when it comes to racism. The Black Lives Matter movement has come into the forefront and people are starting to change and send a strong message against injustice towards Black people — but this is just scratching the surface. This mindset and way of thinking needs to continue not just now, but generations from now.

The Canadian Elite Basketball League has formed a committee to fight and take a stand against racism. The league started a hashtag Racism is not #ourgame and Moon’s the Stingers rep on the committee.

“Pretty much every African American kid growing up has had the law against them for some reason. Myself, growing up in the south, I had run-ins with the law. If I was driving they made me feel I was doing something wrong. That’s not right,” said Moon.

“People are starting to see the world from a black person’s perspective. No longer is a murder happening and then it dies down. “Breonna Taylor got murdered and they’re still talking about it. George Floyd got murdered and they’re still talking about it. Everyone is starting to take a stand.”

For Moon, he’s using his platform as a professional athlete to speak out and he wants to lead and help play a role in bringing change.

“I got a lot of people who look up to me as a role model, and if I need to step up and set the bar for the people in my area,” said Moon. “A lot of people in our area only know what’s going in our area, and if I can educate the people in my area to be cautious and make sure we’re taking care of each other, that’s one step closer to helping each other.