Dikembe Mutombo’s finger wag may be his game time legacy, but he gave another finger to racial injustice. Here are three forces that harm Black communities that he told: “No, no, no, not in my house.”
#1 Sickness: He built a hospital in the Congo that provides care, regardless of ability to pay. He named the hospital after his mother, who died of an untreated stroke. He was also inspired by a Kenyan doctor who saved his life.
#2 Assimilation: He deliberately rejected American individualism and notions of success. Instead, Mutombo remained true to his roots and his community and reached back to help others across Africa.
#3 Exploitation: Mutombo saw basketball as a means to provide for his family and, ultimately, the Diaspora. Rather than allowing the sport to exploit his height, he used his wealth to build tuition-free schools and as a founding member of Basketball Africa League, connect the entire Diaspora.
Mutombo’s basketball career was only a small part of his legacy. When we remember him, let’s never forget he used his power and wealth to advocate for our people across the globe. He reminds us that a world with a unified African Diaspora is possible – and powerful.