Photo: Ashley Landis/Press Pool
Overall, we can all conclude that 2020 has been a terrible year. It seems like can nobody in the world get a break! I mean sh*t when will this nightmare of a year end? Many ponder on this thought as we continue to endure the mayhem and disaster that has been thrown our way continuously this year. When will everything go back to normal?
Unfortunately, things have not been. On top of this horrendous pandemic, there have been countless actions of racial injustice in this country. Consistent racism, police brutality, and just the simple mistreatment of Black Lives.
The idea to restart the NBA in the midst of all this news was already questionable. The NBA commissioner gave players the option to not partake in the NBA restart due to the dangers of the virus and concerns of their own safety. Many players have felt the need to sit out not even for that reason, but just because the start of the season would take the focus off of what's social issues around the world. We've seen this from star Kyrie Irving, as he was the main advocate for not restarting the NBA season at all.
The NBA has expressed their willingness to support athletes as players have been vocal to the calls of justice in our country with racism and the deaths of black people, such as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, caused by the actions of the police. This still hasn't been enough.
Recently last week, a black man named Jacob Blake became a victim of another reckless police shooting. Blake was shot 7 times in his back by the police in front of his 3 children. Now you know the police will come up with every reason to say that he "provoked" them to do so. That's clearly nonsense as the video shows otherwise.
After this tragic event, NBA teams decided to boycott their playoff games. I mean who blames them, this is unbelievable at this point. Although the players decided to resume the games a couple of days later, many, including some players, believe that they should've continued to not play because they feel NBA season is just a distraction and not important.
Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP
I would have to slightly disagree with the players and many others who take this position. I feel that playing doesn't take away the focus from social activism and racial injustice, but it actually amplifies players' voices as they speak out on the issue. Yes, there is a lot going on in the world right now, but that shouldn't mean you should pause your life to accomplish a goal. The NBA is ultimately these players "jobs" and if this was the case, everybody who is impacted by racial injustice would not be working.
Additionally, NBA players' platforms are too large to not use this opportunity. More than likely, if someone sees players like LeBron James speak out, then the message would get heard more and more people would be influenced to follow his lead. Not only fighting for justice while playing helps spread awareness and contributes a more weighted impact, but it's also an effective strategy of progressing change.
Personally, I think it was a good and smart idea to continue the season. At the end of the day, we all have to still continue on with our lives no matter what. I'm not saying we should move forward and forget what's happening, obviously, nobody is going to do that or wants to of that matter. However, everyone should use their resources to their advantage and illuminate this issue effectively. If that takes NBA players to use their platforms by playing basketball, then so be it.
I think I agree with you. A boycott very much works when the participants don't have a voice on their own, in fact that's the whole point. However, most of these players have a huge number of fans who would do anything they said. Part of me thinks this is likely a career/contractual concern. I'm sure some players might be afraid they won't get signed again or won't be as popular if they speak out. Yknow what they say "If you want to be popular, don't believe in anything".
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