The Nation, the Malawian newspaper that published the “Crying Jordan” photo with a story about Michael Jordan’s “I can no longer stay silent” political statement, is sticking by its editorial judgment. The publication’s sports editor, Garry Chirwa, said not only was the decision intentional, but he thought the photo perfectly displayed the emotions of Jordan’s statement.
“I just imagined him crying,” Chirwa wrote via WhatsApp to the Huffington Post.
Lmaoooooooooo Malawian newspaper really used that pic of all pics. Ati "photograph BBC" Dead dead dead pic.twitter.com/kPIXMoGqbf
Jordan’s statement was a reflective personal essay focusing on recent shootings of African-Americans and violence against police. He also made $1 million donations to the Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
“I have decided to speak out in the hope that we can come together as Americans, and through peaceful dialogue and education, achieve constructive change,” Jordan said.
Many were relieved Jordan finally said something. Carmelo Anthony said it was “brilliant and about time.”
“The article on Jordan reacting to the violence in U.S. was just the perfect one for the meme to be used,” said The Nation Senior News Analyst Joy Ndovi. “It depicts the emotional state of the former NBA star. Though it might seem unconventional, what other photo could be more suitable than the infamous Crying Jordan meme?”
Of course, the Crying Jordan meme, drawn from a photo of Jordan crying at his Hall of Fame acceptance speech, has deep roots going back a couple years. Jordan first said he liked it, but we’ve since come to learn that report may have been untrue.
Whether he hates the meme or not, we could infer Jordan was probably not happy to see it paired with a story about his statement—and we can all still agree that was a questionable editorial decision.
Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com.
