The NBA could learn a thing or two from its “little sister”, the WNBA.
After both leagues announced their intentions resume their seasons, one of the top priorities for the players was the opportunity to continue fighting police brutality and racial injustice. It has become so much a critical point that it has almost created a Civil War between the players since some desperately want to play while others believe that their energy would be more suitable by focusing on social activism.
So in an attempt to appease both sides, the NBA has extended an olive branch. Not only will the court have “Black Lives Matter” painted on it, but players have been given the green light for rock personalized social justice messages on their shirts.
Everyone wins, right? Not entirely.
A number of players have openly criticized personalized messages, as players cannot put what they want on their shirts and instead have to choose from a list which includes nebulous phrases like “Liberation”, “I Am a Man” and “Listen”. If these seem a little diluted, it is because this is it Exactly what happens when you try to filter Black’s progress through billions of dollars in corporate interests – and players like Philadelphia 76ers forward Mike Scott can’t do it.
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“They gave us some names and phrases to put on the back of the shirts,” Scott say journalists during a video conference. “It was terrible. It was a bad list, a bad choice. They did not give players the opportunity to express their opinion on the matter. They just gave us a list to choose from. He has been sick. It’s terrible.”
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown echoed those themselves feelings but he was a little more delicate in his approach.
“I’d like to see – because I think it can still happen – more options available to put on the back of our shirts,” Brown say journalists. “We understand anything vulgar that our league does not necessarily represent, but for stories and causes such as the current ones, I think that list is an example of a form of limitation. I think we should be able to express our struggle.
“I was very disappointed with the agreed list. I think things have been proven and attempts have been made to add them to the list, but the NBA agreed that the list was satisfactory. Hopefully we have some other names on that list. “
Meanwhile, in the WNBA, they are taking the phrase “listen to black women” to the next level. Huffington Post relationships that players will not only wear warm-ups with “Black Lives Matter” and “Say Her Name” in the foreground, but will call one thing one thing is wears the names of women victims of racialized violence, such as Breonna Taylor and Sandra Bland.
“We are incredibly proud of the WNBA players who continue to lead with their inspirational voices and effective actions in the fight dedicated to the league against systemic racism and violence,” said WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert in the statement.
How the hell can the NBA ruin everything so badly?
Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated reported that NBA players refused to wear the names of racially motivated accident victims “because of concerns about the offense of people close to someone whose name may not be used”, but it sounds like bullshit . There are no favorites. Awareness of this problem intrinsically attracts attention other victims of racial violence. Also, who benefits from lukewarm slogans like “Peace” or “Respect Us” too?
If only the NBA were serious about its commitment to racial justice as is its commitment to protecting its corporate interests.
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