Stephen Curry Pens Awe-Inspiring Essay On Gender Equality

On the eve of Women’s Equality Day in the US on August 26, basketball player Stephen Curry penned an awe-inspiring essay on women's equality. He beautifully highlighted the importance of gender equality in society. Curry also threw light on his goal of supporting a basketball future for all, regardless of gender.

In the emotional essay about women's equality in The Players' Tribune, Curry wrote that the idea of gender equality for him is “not political", but something everyone should advocate for.

A Moving Letter

He said he hopes to raise his two girls to understand they can do anything they want. The 30-year-old is a father of three now.

Curry wrote, "I want our girls to grow up knowing that there are no boundaries that can be placed on their futures, period. I want them to grow up in a world where their gender does not feel like a rulebook for what they should think, or be, or do. And I want them to grow up believing that they can dream big, and strive for careers where they’ll be treated fairly."

"And of course, get paid equally. Every day the pay gap is affecting women. And every day is when the pay gap is sending the wrong message to women about who they are, and how they’re valued, and what they can or cannot become."

It is not that Curry has never been aware of women’s rights, he explains. He rightfully points out that he has a wife and a mom. Curry calls these special women “incredible and fiercely principled”.

He says, “So for my whole life, really, I feel like I’ve been receiving this education on what it means to be a woman in America." However, suddenly viewing things ‘through the eyes of his daughters’ has intensified that education.

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Raising a Voice for Women’s Equality

The Golden State Warriors player also spoke about a free, two-day "first annual" basketball camp. Earlier, on August 13 and 14, Curry had organized a free basketball camp exclusively for girls and young women in the Bay Area. The camp focused on a shooting competition, autographs, photos with the Larry O'Brien Trophy. It also hosted a panel discussion featuring successful women in the sports industry.

Explaining its significance, Curry said, "I think it was also something more than that. It was also the sort of thing that can help shift people's perspectives. So that when someone sees an NBA player is hosting a camp, now, maybe they won't automatically assume it's for boys. And so eventually we can get to a place where the woman's game, it isn't 'women's basketball'. It's just basketball. Played by women, and celebrated by everyone.”

"One thing we've always maintained about our camp is that we want it to be world class. Here's the truth: You're not world class if you’re not actively about inclusion,” he added.

Despite the camp’s success, Curry admitted that he's not "close to satisfied". He wishes to continue working to close the opportunity gap.

He wrote, "Let’s work to close the pay gap. And let's work together on this. I mean, 'women deserve equality'. That's not politics, right? That's not something that people are actually disagreeing on, is it? It can't be."

Picture Credit: The New York Times

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Megha Thadani is an Intern with Shethepeople.tv