Damian Lillard has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind.

Whether the Portland Trail Blazers franchise point guard is responding to detractors or weighing in on the issues facing America today, Lillard will make his feelings known and stand behind them. He has been referred to as the anti-Charles Barkley: An athlete with star power who not only understands his influence, but embraces it.

You may remember when Lillard crafted black t-shirts for himself and his teammates that read "I can't breathe" prior to a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. The shirts were a show of solidarity with the community and to help raise awareness around the officer-involved death of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man who was killed by police officers in New York last year.

Late last night, Lillard took to Twitter to react to the news of the latest officer-involved shooting deaths of African American citizens Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota. Both incidents were caught on film and contained extremely graphic imagery, which has since led to protests and massive outcry from the black community.

In the tweets below, Lillard denounces the shootings but also urges the black community to focus on ending black-on-black violence as a way for community to come together and focus on what they can control before attacking the issues outside of their control. His message did not sit well with some of his followers who felt he was overlooking the the current issue of police violence against persons of color. Lillard exchanged tweets with several of those folks before speaking with Shaun King of the New York Daily News who helped him clarify his message. Lillard did not backtrack on his statements, but did acknowledge that the timing of the remarks may have been perceived as insensitive to some.

Here's a look at his reaction and the conversation Damian Lillard had online with his followers on Twitter following the news which offers a more complete picture of his exchange and feelings on the issue:

[&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="//storify.com/Oregonian/damian-lillard-reacts-to-officer-involved-shooting" target="_blank"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;View the story "Damian Lillard reacts to officer-involved shootings" on Storify&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;]&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;h1&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Damian Lillard reacts to officer-involved shootings&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/h1&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;h2&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/h2&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Storified by &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="https://storify.com/Oregonian"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The Oregonian&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;middot; Thu, Jul 07 2016 17:29:33 &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;As a proud African American it's sad that our people continue to watch families go through these great tragedies... It's not right... ButDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;At the same time we have to take better care of eachother... We do harm more often to our brother/sister than anyone else.Damian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Change is needed on our behalf NOW... And then the battle can go further in demanding that we be treated better from others... AndDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;That justice is served ... Treat our brother/sister better and the we can come together and make for a stronger stand/fight against unjustDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;You are 100% correct, but &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;we&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; didn't take an oath, and when &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;we&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; commit a crime &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;we&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; go to prison. https://t.co/4ipUVIvIz9Remy&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;You're right... https://t.co/L6ewxoKmpfDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Racist people do not care about how we treat one another. They hate us! They're going to kill us if they want! https://t.co/A1xeJeasAnLady&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;I understand that but what I'm saying is we have to stop doing it to one another and become more together first https://t.co/p4x7p1cJxkDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;@Dame_Lillard you're right dame but it doesn't give the right for police brutality and excessive force. Don't over look that factFrank Pearson&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;That's true 100%... Facts on video. https://t.co/tORKJHSk9nDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;@ericstevens04 While I enjoy @Dame_Lillard the basketball player, I did not expect to see him say something like this.Lady&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;I'm in the same boat as you... https://t.co/kL7V9uxhfWDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;@Dame_Lillard Whether you're speaking on african americans behalf or everyones,its good to see a celebrity speak out against police violenceCaseTwelve&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;It ain't right... https://t.co/C0EFShL5ZMDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;@Dame_Lillard &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; you ignoring it to push some respectability bs is exactly what they wantJohnny Fat Sax&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Not ignoring it... At all https://t.co/xT5Rdc7jmcDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;@_MakeupMonet @ericstevens04 @Dame_Lillard I'm with you. I get what he's saying but putting blame on us isn't right. 2 separate issuesstill here dawg13&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;I'm not blaming us... I know a high rate of crime is within race... Every race... What do you suggest ? https://t.co/StOTeZN7wVDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;@Dame_Lillard yo you really let folks down tonight man. You're extremely clueless as to what's going on out here.Black Charlie Brown&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;I really ain't tho https://t.co/KEawoH9jO5Damian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Feel sorry for flks like @Dame_Lillard who cannot sympathize long enough b4 getting on his moral high horse. Take a seat bruh.Tirhakah Love&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Sympathy with every family going thru it and has gone thru it. https://t.co/Ni5f5aeodJDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;I grew up around Oscar Grant , not a stranger to the situation and I'm not ignoring or making it a black on black thing. I'm Tryna figureDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Out ways we can help ourselves ... As I continue to say it's BS,racism is in our faces, and I side with our peoples pain 100%...Damian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;@Dame_Lillard I will not blame my people for what the law enforcement, who took an oath to protect &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; serve, do that is not just.aka Bro Bro&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;And you shouldn't because our ppl aren't to blame https://t.co/dvSVaxxShaDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Constructive anger becomes passion to change and fight injustice. Destructive anger becomes rage and reciprocated ignorance.Lecrae&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;@Dame_Lillard Don't sweat these armchair activists. Speak your mind. The 'We' or 'They' do not matter, #blacklivesmatter. Can we fix that?Emeka B. Marshall&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;I'm all for that... Ima stand in whatever ppl got to say because I'm open for discussion https://t.co/I8vnerKWPtDamian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;@Dame_Lillard But you are giving them power by insinuating that we have to do better. I don't think people would care as much if you wereqmr&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;So what do you suggest? https://t.co/Ml0Ye2SIf7Damian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Dame. Our prisons are FULL of Black men, women, and children held FULLY responsible for crime in our communities. https://t.co/qU0X7DgVtMShaun King&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;You absolutely right. https://t.co/RGDZyj8Rh7Damian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;When we comply you still shoot, so what are we supposed to do...#FalconHeightsIshe Oluwa Smith&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;I feel the same as all of you... My heart is in the same place as well... Goodnight.Damian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;[?] https://t.co/sR01cmvyA2Damian Lillard&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;1. Spoke a few minutes ago w/ @Dame_Lillard. He reached out and was deeply apologetic for the content &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; timing of his earlier tweets...Shaun King&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;2. He recognized immediately the flaw in the tweets, was genuinely remorseful, open to learning, and explained what he truly meant to say.Shaun King&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;3. Like all of us he feels a sense of helplessness w/ how to fix police brutality &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; wanted to simply talk about what we do have control overShaun King&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;4. Dude is actually woke, has a wonderful heart, and follows the issues. He proposed the right solutions to the wrong problem &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; said as muchShaun King&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;5. Anyway, @Dame_Lillard is strongly against injustice. We agreed to stay connected on the hard issues of our time. A good dude. That's all.Shaun King&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Whether you agree with Lillard or not, it's always interesting to see the way he separates himself from the average professional athlete. In an era where athletes really don't say much outside of media availability sessions or press conferences, Lillard seems happy to charge into the fray with his own opinions.