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Forge FC’s Chris Nanco: ‘I am tired’ of racial inequality, ‘but I will never stop fighting’

Canadian soccer players and coaches have taken to social media in large numbers this week in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Protests have taken place across the world in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death at the hands of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and in response to other people of colour who have died because of police brutality.

Many Canadian soccer players have used their public profile to speak out about the issue of racial inequality, white privilege, and other important social issues during these difficult times.

Forge FC forward Chris Nanco penned a poignant message on his Instagram account on Wednesday evening about what it’s like for him, a person of colour, to live in a society where racial inequality exists.

“Being from Canada and growing up playing soccer I had opportunities to travel the world and experience a large amount of diversity. As much as this sounds amazing, sometimes it was the opposite. For the past six years I was in America. Without going too far into it, I am sad to say that I have been subject to racism/inequality just like many of my black brothers and sisters. Even in some of the most diverse countries, inequality and injustice still happen,” Nanco wrote.


RELATED READING: Canadian soccer shows Black Lives Matter solidarity, speaks out on social media


Nanco went on to add: “CHANGE needs to happen. I am tired of trying to be accepted. I am tired of being pulled over and questioned on my way to practice because of my skin colour. I am tired of living in a society that is set up for my failure. I am tired of trying to create a better life for my loved ones when it can be torn away at any moment.
I AM TIRED!!! But I will never stop fighting!”

Nanco is starting up a fundraiser through his business/brand, Kick’d Up Culture, to “help raise awareness, help organizations in a position to make change, and help families who are suffering from these tragedies.”

If you’d like to make a donation to Chris Nanco’s Kick’d Up Culture for Equality Fundraiser, CLICK HERE

Read Chris Nanco’s Instagram post in full below:

View this post on Instagram

I have thought long and hard about how I was going to approach what has been going on in the world. As someone who is in a position where people are attentive to what I say or do, as well as having a few platforms such as being a professional soccer player as well as an entrepreneur, I wanted to express a few things. Being from Canada and growing up playing soccer I had opportunities to travel the world and experience a large amount of diversity. As much as this sounds amazing, sometimes it was the opposite. For the past 6 years I was in America. Without going to far into it, I am sad to say that I have been subject to racism/inequality just like many of my black brothers and sisters. Even in some of the most diverse countries, inequality and injustice still happen. CHANGE needs to happen. I am tired of trying to be accpeted. I am tired of being pulled over and questioned on my way to practice because of my skin color. I am tired of living in a society that is set up for my failure. I am tired of trying to create a better life for my loved ones when it can be torn away at any moment. I AM TIRED!!! But I will never stop fighting! Now, many of you know I have created my own brand/business @kickdupculture . There is a reason I used the word ‘Culture’. To me, the world culture means people coming together for a greater understanding, achievement, or way of life. This is what my business is all about, haircut and clothing aside, the true goal is to bring people together through subjects that I am passionate about. I am passionate about my people, equality, ending racism, and getting justice. We are hurting. With all of this being said, through my business/brand I am starting up a fundraiser to help raise awareness, help organizations in a position to make change, and help families who are suffering from these tragedies. So please, go to the link in our bio and donate what you can. If you can’t donate, please share this post so we can reach a broader audience and continue to create change! Anything helps, get involved. Donations will be spread between multiple bail out funds. Stay safe, and remember that YOU matter! – Chris Nanco & The Culture ?

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