The Lower Merion High School basketball team, the alma mater of Kobe Bryant, unveiled warm up t-shirts voicing support for Muslims and immigrants before their championship game on Tuesday. The members of the Lower Merion Aces wore black t-shirts with the message “I am a Muslim. I am a refugee. I am an immigrant. I am an American. I am an Ace.”
City of Basketball Love reports that the shirts were designed by Najja Walker-X, a senior on the team who, along with other players, had been sitting during the national anthem. The story quotes Walker-X as saying the idea behind the shirts was “to come together as a team to find a way to spread the message to everybody without them having to go through the coaches to know what’s going on with us.”
The team plans to wear the shirts for the remainder of the season and is currently selling them for $10 with all proceeds going to the American Civil Liberties Union. The players also issued a statement:
What’s beautiful about America is that everyone is different. And whether we are black, white, brown, orange, yellow, or red, it is our legal right to express our opinions and beliefs. In the last few weeks, our team has been criticized by a few people because some of us choose to sit and others choose to stand for the national anthem. We have not been unified on the issue and we realize we may never be. That is ok. We are free to disagree and have different points of view. We are free to express our First Amendment rights.
What we do want to convey, however—as a full team—is that no matter where you come from, no matter who you are, you should be welcomed, respected, and heard. As a team we believe in fighting for the rights of all—protecting, defending, and giving voice to those who feel marginalized, who live in fear, and who face injustice. We recently met and decided that the best way to express our views on what concerns us about what’s happening in the world is to show a unified front and to wear a t-shirt with a message. Our t-shirts tonight say:
‘I am a Muslim. I am a refugee. I am an immigrant. I am an American. I am an Ace.’
The goal of this message is to be inclusive and representative of people of all backgrounds and emphasize that we are all in this together. That no matter who we are and where we’re from, we are all Aces.
Lastly, we want to make clear our respect for those who serve and have served our country defending freedom and liberty. We are forever grateful for your contributions.
Thank you for your consideration and enjoy the game.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.