Ask AI: Give me a synthesis of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ‘s recent political writings. Please include quotes.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an influential political commentator, civil rights activist, and a former NBA player. His recent political writings have focused on issues of race, social justice, and American politics. Below is a synthesis of some key themes and quotes from his writings: 1. On racial inequality and protests: In a May 2020 op-ed for the Los Angeles Times titled "Don't understand the protests? What you're seeing is people pushed to the edge", Kareem Abdul-Jabbar emphasizes the need to understand and address the root causes of racial inequality and civil unrest in the United States. Reflecting on the protests following the killing of George Floyd, he states that: “What you should see when you see black protestors in the age of Trump and coronavirus is people pushed to the edge, not because they want bars and nail salons open, but because they want to live. To breathe.” 2. On the role of the media: Abdul-Jabbar criticizes the media's role in perpetuating racial stereotypes and argues that if media coverage were more impartial, people might be better informed and able to empathize with marginalized communities. In the same May 2020 op-ed on the protests, he remarks that: “Destructive protesting is a genuine plea for help from a community that, for generations, has been neglected and discarded as if their lives don’t matter.” 3. On systemic racism: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar points out the pervasiveness of systemic racism in American society, emphasizing how it negatively impacts the lives of people of color. In a July 2020 article for The Guardian titled "There is no vaccine for racism – but we can do something about it," he writes: “While we wait – and wait – for a vaccine for the coronavirus, there’s no reason to wait for a vaccine for racism. We have the tools to inoculate ourselves and others – but it requires trust, open-mindedness, courage, critical thinking, communication, and the willingness to make an emotional investment.” 4. On the importance of voting: Abdul-Jabbar also addresses the issue of voter suppression and its impact on marginalized communities. He encourages people to use their right to vote as a means of fighting inequality, stating that the 2020 election was "The Battle for America’s Soul." In an August 2020 Newsweek article, he highlights the significance of voting, stating: “Our intelligence means nothing if we don't exercise our freedom to vote… We must continue to stomp in unison because the feeling of power that comes from exercising our right to vote — like the sound of the buffalo — scares those who try to keep us in submission.” In summary, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's recent political writings emphasize the need to acknowledge and confront racial inequality, address the shortcomings of the media in perpetuating stereotypes, and recognize the power of voting as a means to combat injustice.