Kapler: Movement has to 'continue in perpetuity'

SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants manager Gabe Kapler reaffirmed his support for the Black Lives Matter movement in a statement Tuesday, and outlined the steps he plans to take to combat systemic racism and social injustice in America.

Kapler has denounced police brutality and called for change following the killing of George Floyd, whose death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer has sparked a wave of nationwide protests. In the midst of a national reckoning on privilege and racial inequality, Kapler said he hopes to foster an environment in which players will be encouraged to have “raw, open and sometimes uncomfortable conversations” in the clubhouse once the Giants reconvene.

“The number-one thing I can do right now is listen carefully to black people,” wrote Kapler, who shared his message on his Instagram story Monday before reposting it on Twitter. “I can hear their stories, their experiences and their pain. I can ask follow-up questions. I can use my platform and my voice to amplify theirs. The follow-up step is to encourage and have the difficult conversation in the clubhouse.”

Kapler also wrote that he intends to take other concrete measures, such as supporting black-owned businesses, as well as those run by women. Other Giants players and coaches have added their voices to the movement in recent weeks, including bench coach Kai Correa and outfielder Hunter Pence.

The Giants showed their support as an organization by displaying “Black Lives Matter” on the Oracle Park scoreboard over the weekend. The club’s leadership also hosted an organization-wide Zoom call last week in which president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi opened up about his experiences and invited other minorities in the front office to do the same.

Kapler said he hopes the events of the past weeks will encourage more figures in the baseball community to use their platforms to speak out on sensitive issues in the future.

“It can’t be in response to a moment,” Kapler said Tuesday. “I think this moment is a great opportunity for a movement, but that movement has to continue in perpetuity. It’s got to happen. We have to be challenging ourselves every day going forward, continuing to use our platforms, continuing to speak up, continuing to listen and take cues from the leaders in the black community, our black colleagues and our black teammates. Adjusting and being responsive on a daily basis going forward.”