NBA Players Take Monumental Stance For Social Justice Reform By Boycotting Playoffs
By: Omar Cook
NBA players took a historic stance for social justice reform as they collectively boycotted tonights slate of games which would have been game 5 for the Bucks, Magic, Thunder, Rockets, Trail Blazers, and the Lakers. It started when the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the floor before their matchup with the Orlando Magic in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake by Wisconsin police that left him paralyzed.
Another cop related shooting incident of an unarmed Black man is what’s sparking the collective outrage around the league and the nation. NBA players took to twitter to voice their frustrations on current racial issues.
“We Keep Loving This Country. And This Country Doesn’t Love Us Back”
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 26, 2020
Many argued that the season should have never started back up in the first place arguing that it would be a distraction to bigger issues at hand such as systematic racism. One of those people was All Star guard Kyrie Irving, who was catching major slack for not agreeing that basketball should be played right now.
I’ll never ever ever forget the way Kyrie was demonized for saying the things everybody is saying now.
— Boogie Bousins (@bansky) August 26, 2020
They were on Kyrie’s head when he said NBA shouldn’t play. Doesn’t matter how many games are played as a distraction, Black men are still being targeted #justiceforjacoblake pic.twitter.com/GvRGnYxU4D
— Omar Cook (@OmarCook_) August 26, 2020
At this point, it’s bigger than just giving Kyrie the apology he deserves for speaking the truth, it’s about actually making real changes. Sure we all loved seeing players back on the court, competing inside the bubble, but it is racism, is still the major elephant in the room. The NBA boycott set off a ripple effect as MLB and WNBA games were also postponed. TNT anchor Kenny “The Jet” Smith walked off the set of Inside The NBA in support of the NBA players boycott.
Kenny Smith walks off set of “Inside the NBA” joining in protest with players
— 247 Live Culture (@247LC) August 27, 2020
“I think it’s best for me, to support the players, and just not be here tonight.” pic.twitter.com/gbXLqhKZlr
What will be interesting to see is how players in the NFL will come together with the season scheduled to start right around the corner. Athletes have used their platforms in an outspoken way throughout the pandemic and are realizing the power they have as players. How long the boycott lasts, who knows! But this is the perfect time for our country to focus on mending deep historical wounds and coming together to bring radical changes to our society. Salute to the NBA players who took a stand.
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