Tupac Shakur was very vocal about social issues. His activism was well established even at an early age. The legendary rapper was especially furious about other wealthy and influential African-American community members who didn’t want to present themselves as role models to other inner-city kids.

Meanwhile, Michael Jordan didn’t really address social issues, despite being the most influential athlete at the time. That’s why Tupac called him out for not doing much for the African-American community.

“You know Michael Jordan? I never saw Michael Jordan in the ‘hood. Let’s see Jordan come down to the inner city, just a parking lot, and just shoot the ball with the kids. I bet you that would change their life. Instead of going to some suburban PAL unit, shooting the ball,” Tupac said per MTV.

Tupac on the lack of role models

Tupas also reflected on his childhood, saying he didn’t have many role models growing up who could show him how to play basketball. That’s why he wanted MJ to speak up and be more of an influence on young people.“What about the ones that [have] only one basketball court in the whole neighborhood and don’t anybody — I still don’t know how to play basketball to this day, ’cause instead of somebody teaching me, everybody used to laugh at me,” Shakur said.

“Instead of me staying there being like, “Teach me! Teach me!” I just learned to be like “F— it. I won’t learn.” And that’s real. I know nothing about sports because I had no kind of role model to teach me,” Tupac added.

A different side of MJ

MJ was often criticized for not doing more for the community, especially during his playing days. However, a GQ interview from 1989 proves the Chicago Bulls legend was not indifferent to social issues.

Jordan, despite being one of the most famous individuals in the world, wasn’t a fan of the special treatment he was receiving. That’s one of the issues he discussed in an interview.

“As far as being on a pedestal, it’s a compliment, yet it’s somewhat painful to me that one person can be viewed so high above other people,” Jordan said, per GQ. 

“For example, if I go to a restaurant, I am very likely to get that meal free. But poor people who go to the same restaurant got to wash dishes to eat. And I’m the one that can afford it. If you can explain that, then you can explain society, and you can explain Richie Weaver looking up to me,” MJ added.

Mike also talked about his fame in relation to his ethnicity. That being said, he wanted the next generation to aspire to be like him solely because of his skill set and not because of the color of his skin.

So Michael obviously did talk about social issues, but he wasn’t nearly as outspoken as today’s NBA superstars. Post-retirement, His Airness also started giving back to the communities more, especially to the people of Charlotte.