A world without discrimination, too much to ask? While it might not seem an issue until you become the subject. And it spares none. “Your children are not disposable and even when faced with something that you might not be as familiar with or comfortable with [it is] not an excuse to throw your kids away.” Gabrielle Union spoke to Extra in 2019 and highlighted standing by her children through thick and thin. The Perfect Find star shared some light on one such instance, where she had to fly to Chicago. She did it to protect her stepson Zaire Wade. The reason? Something pathetic.

“Going toe-to-toe with a tenured priest at the kids school in Chicago because he was known for you know discriminating racially dispensing discipline out you know along racial lines.” On ‘Comedy Gold Mines with Kevin Hart’, Gabrielle Union opened up about stepping in to stop the injustice towards Zaire.”I was like, ‘Let’s talk liability y’all like he is a massive liability. The ease with which I could sue y’all and win. Like you guys should take that in consideration and do something about this’.”

But how did it start? Initially it Zaire, who used physical force but that was only to save the honor of his birth mom, Siohvaughn Funches. Before marrying Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade was a father of three. He married his high school sweetheart Siohvaughn Funches. They tied the knot in 2002 and are parents to Zaire and Zaya.

So, when Union entered the life of the three-time NBA champion, she assumed the role of stepmother to the children too. Even though Zaire did raise his fist in that scenario, Union had no issues with it. “But the boy started it and he wasn’t facing any consequences so I had to fly up there.” The 52-year-old also thanked her loved ones who gave her strength to fight the injustice. And made it logistically possible for her to fly out in a private jet to help her stepson.

Gabrielle Union expressed her first challenges of being a stepmother

When it comes to supporting the children, Dwyane Wade and his wife leave no stone unturned. They even moved to California to provide a better and safer community for their daughter, Zaya. They have been constant allies and vocal trans advocates since Zaya came out in 2020. Supporting the kids was never a question, but finding her role in the early stage was a challenge for Gabrielle Union.

” And being a stepmother is such a weird place. You don’t really know what your lane is. You don’t really don’t know what your expectations are.” The Bring It On star during her appearance on Skip Intro by Krista Smith, spoke about challenges and how she adapted to the role. “I started leading with love, and grace, and consideration, and respect that they are whole a– people…I just leaned into it.”

Coming into the family and assuming responsibilities are never easy. It was the same in the case of Gabrielle Union’s role with Dwyane Wade’s family. But she knew one thing: standing up for her kids no matter what the situation was. That’s why she traveled to Chicago to support Zaire Wade. Probably it’s time to put a stop to racism, right? Too late, yes, but never too late to do something.