INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - 2016 Indiana Mr. Basketball Kyle Guy admitted he was a little nervous and reluctant to speak out about the violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia. But as he goes back to the University of Virginia this week, Guy felt that he should respond with love to the hate he has seen near his college campus.
Guy is back home in Indiana for a few more days. He saw the tragic incidents as he watched news reports during his Florida vacation this past weekend.
“It hurt a lot when I first saw it,” said Guy, wearing a Virginia Cavaliers shirt and shorts during an interview at his high school alma mater, Lawrence Central.
“I couldn't believe my eyes. I had to soak it in for a couple days. I was in complete shock for a while that this was happening. It's the stuff you read about in history books. You didn't want it to happen then and now it's happening again."
The violence and hate on display in Charlottesville prompted Guy to respond on Twitter.
“We've got to say no to hate and yes to love,” said Guy. “We've got to say no to evil, say no to discrimination, yes to diversity.”
Guy won Mr. Basketball honors playing for a diverse team at Lawrence Central High School.
“Everyone is equal in my eyes,” said Guy. “I don't care if you're black, blue, orange, white - it doesn't matter. I still got love for you no matter what. There's just no hate in my heart for anybody. I saw a lot of racist things when I got to UVA just being in the South. That hurts me and white people are the people that are doing this unfortunately for the most part. African-Americans just aren't being treated fairly and that's the truth. Some people don't want to go out and say it, but I'm saying it. That's the truth."
Guy returns to campus this week to begin his sophomore season at Virginia.
“I'm a little leery to go back,” said Guy. “I'm not going to lie."
He's concerned white supremacists will keep returning.
“I just pray everyone stays safe in Charlottesville and around the country and everyone keeps positive mindsets and tries to make a difference in the world. Don't let what's going on right now steal the wonderful joy out of this life that we live. Living in America is a lot better than living in other countries regardless of our problems."
Kyle has some concern that he might become a target for hate, especially on social media. But he says a friend encouraged him that he had a platform as a Virginia basketball player and maybe he should use it. So, he did.
“I like to stand up for what I believe in. I have this platform from basketball and I like to use it as a vehicle to change the world quite frankly. I just don't believe that anyone was born with any hate in their hearts. It's not just how God works. But we were born with a lot of love and I think we need a lot more of that.”