J.J. Barea joins #NBATogether Virtual Roundtable discussion about issues facing the Latinx community

Each week, #NBATogether Virtual Roundtable, hosted by Caron Butler, brings together voices from communities of color to discuss the corona virus pandemic. Tuesday, Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea joined his former teammate and 2011 NBA Champion on the panel to speak not just about COVID-19, but the ongoing protest movements, his relief efforts in Puerto Rico, and how they all impact the Latinx community.

Joining Barea and Butler is Paola Ramos, correspondent for Vice News, a Latinx Communications Strategist, former Deputy National Director of Hispanic Press for Hillary for America, and contributor to Telemundo and MSNBC. Also on the roundtable is Janet Murguia, president and CEO of UnidosUS, the largest Latino nonprofit civil rights and advocacy group in the United States.

Over the course of 45 minutes, the panel digs into systemic racism, police brutality, and inequity that is rampant in America and currently on full display for all to see—again.

“We need to promote equal opportunity and everything and teach the kids from a young age, starting from the ground,” Barea says. “When I go and talk to kids, they listen. And if we promote equal opportunities, education, and sports in the communities, and health programs, and everything it’s going to help. It’s going to help. … We’ve got to learn from this moment and go from there.”

The whole conversation is worth your time to watch. Plus, you’ll get to see Barea’s magnificent beard.