On Sunday, August 23rd, Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. After breaking up an argument between two women, Blake was shot in the back by Officer Rusten Sheskey as he walked to his car. Blake’s three children were in the vehicle.
Three days later, the NBA, WNBA, MLS, MLB and various individual athletes opted out of scheduled games and seasons.
Here’s what that means.
In many of the leagues mentioned above, white owners, partners and viewers all profit from the livelihood of Black athletes, who, to many people, are viewed solely as entertainment. They are mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, children; they are humans. Responsible for making long and short term decisions for the betterment of their team, team owners often set the tone for the future. The need for them to understand, emphasize and collaborate with their athletes is at an all time high. Open and constructive discussions need to be had, not just money promised to a cause down the road.
In a statement made by the Los Angeles Lakers, the players spoke on the failure of the American public to accept Black lives stating: “[The American public] fails to use our platforms and resources to amplify their voices when they demand the justice and equality that America has promised us all, but denied Black people for too long.” The Milwaukee Bucks were the first team to officially announce they were boycotting their games followed by the WNBA, Lakers, Clippers and Brewers. Earlier in the week, Detroit Lions stood outside their facilities with signs saying, “We won’t be silent.” Kenny Smith, TV analyst for NBA on TNT walked off the set in solidarity as well. There were no team marches through the city, no public protests, but these boycotts are just as impactful. The Washington Mystics, another WNBA team very familiar with taking social justice stances head on, wore shirts spelling out Jacob Blake’s name with 7 bullet holes in the back; the visual was impactful and as important as any statement..
The lack of diversity between many front offices and players is extremely disproportionate. The need for owners to understand, emphasize and collaborate with their athletes is at an all time high. Since George Floyd was murdered in May of this year, not long after the school year ended, the message has been made undeniably clear: Black Americans, including those who are athletes, are not solely responsible for the constant education of the general public. But yet, the need still exists. The need for education falls upon their white teammates in sport, the government, and every white life in society, to start the conversation and tangible steps to make true change.
After dialogue this past week, it was decided that the seasons will continue, but that doesn’t mean the fight for racial equality will end. It is imperative to educate ourselves on the injustices that Black Americans face every day, regardless of their status in this country. Sustainable change is only achievable when we turn inwards to address racial inequality, police brutality and justice reform. We will continue to stress that Black lives matter, for far more than athletics.