PGA Tour: Harold Varner III speaks out on violence, riots

As one of the few African-Americans on the PGA Tour, Harold Varner III knew he needed to speak out

To say that this has been an emotional and trying week for the African-American community would be putting it mildly. Between the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the protests and looters in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and other cities, it has been a tough week on nearly everyone, including PGA Tour professional Harold Varner III.

Varner is one of the few African-Americans on the PGA Tour. In that role, he felt that it was necessary to speak out on what’s going on in the United States right now. After putting much thought into what he was going to say, Varner released a statement on Monday.

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"“To whoever wants to listen, I have so much that I want to say. Matter of fact, I’ve received more messages than ever before, mostly from people who wanted me to speak up immediately because of who I am. I AM BLACK. But it’s not helpful to anyone when impulsive, passionate reaction takes precedence over clear-minded thought. Yes, I’m still angry. But I needed the time to put pen to paper and give y’all a proper message. So let’s go.”"

Varner took on the issues at hand. And he didn’t hold back.

"“Life is more nuanced than just a simple statement, and if there’s one thing that is emblematic of today’s society, I think it’s that we constrict ourselves to single-minded thought. It’s easy to do. But that ain’t life. You can be against a cop savagely killing a man and also have the perspective to say that burning businesses and police stations is wrong. You may say one is more or less severe than the other, but there again we must allow ourselves to go beyond this one-or-the-other mentality.”"

Varner also made it a point to address those who might be on the other side of the issue

"“I know hard it is to build something. I know it, man. Seeing justice for George Floyd turn into destruction and theft of businesses owned by African Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics, and all the other ethnicities is disgusting. I will always be behind all African Americans who are subjected to racism. I will also be behind other ethnicities in the same way. But I will never support an aggressive reaction, especially against those who have poured everything into opening this restaurant or that shop.”"

In conclusion, Varner simply wants us all to get along and for our country to be a good and safe place for everyone to live.

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"“Sometimes life is not simple and things don’t make sense. How can we call ourselves the greatest country on earth when our standards fall to senseless killing? That’s a tough and important question. But I still proudly say we aren’t as fractured as it seems.”"

Varner took advantage of his opportunity to speak out on this issue and did it very well.

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