Doctor Harry Edwards, a civil rights icon who worked for Bay Area sports teams and now teaches at UC Berkeley, delivered a commencement speech at San Jose State University Saturday, telling graduates about his activism and the difficulty involved in facing fears.
Edwards, a practicing sociologist whose work tackles racism in professional sports, told graduates that they must not become overwhelmed by a culture of fear.
“Fear leads to dislike, which leads to disrespect, and disrespect leads to disengagement and hostile relations,” he said.
He stood in front of a Black Power statue as he spoke and advised students of all color to be politically active.
Edwards graduated from San Jose State University in 1964. He has worked for the Golden State Warriors and the 49ers to increase diversity within coaching positions and off-field positions.
