First and for most: Black Lives Matter. Some of you need that message to get through your thick skulls.
Following the police altercation that resulted in Jacob Blake being shot SEVEN times in the back by a police officer, the message is loud and clear. You can't fix what's not broken. Not even 3 months after the tragic death of George Floyd, another police officer is shown using excessive violence against a Black man on camera. When will we see any actual change in our policing? If you aren't outraged, then you aren't paying attention!
Back in June, many NBA player were worried that in a time of racial injustice across the country, returning to basketball would be a distraction. They were worried that their voices wouldn't be heard enough. The NBA has tried to make this return to basketball a platform for its players voices to be projected. Kneeling during the national anthem, 'Black lives matter' printed on the court, BLM warm up shirts, and even custom social justice messages on the jerseys are all awesome forms of symbolism that the NBA has allowed its players to use to get their message across. But at the end of the day, it's only symbolism which isn't necessarily true activism. For example: Jimmy Butler tried to come out in a jersey with no name and no message to make his statement, and the league SAID NO! Such a slap in the face. "Our players can protest, but only how we want them to."
Now it's August and they're clearly hasn't been much change. The players see it too, despite being trapped in a bubble. After rumors circulated about the Raptors and Celtics boycotting game 1 of their series, The Bucks actually did it. Game 5 of the Bucks vs. Magic was supposed to tip off today, and the Magic eventually had to leave the floor as their opponent didn't show up. Jacob Blake's home in Kenosha being only a short drive from Milwaukee, makes their message fit perfectly. For that, I love you Milwaukee Bucks. Some things are bigger than basketball, even for guys who get paid to play.
How will this shape the rest of the playoffs?
FUCK THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 26, 2020
This shit bigger than basketball! Whoever don’t understand that is part of the problem.
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) August 26, 2020
WE DEMAND JUSTICE!!!
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) August 26, 2020
Without teams taking a stand, the silence continues. Money talks so hopefully this sparks some real change.
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