NBA
Contents
Support to Black Lives Matter
Before the restart of the season in July 2020, many NBA players had participated in the nationwide protests against racism and police brutality sparked by the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by police. Some players were concerned that their voices wouldn’t be heard if they played basketball in a bubble. Ultimately, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) agreed to resume the season with a commitment to use their platform to address social justice issues.[1]
The truth is #BlackLivesMatter ad
The NBA has produced a new social justice public service announcement that was released through its social media channels. Combining images and footage of players speaking at protests across the country, the NBA video ends with the message, "Because the truth is Black Lives Matter":
Social justice message on jersey
The NBA and the NBPA also worked collaboratively to allow players to wear a number of social justice messages on their jerseys during the remainder of the season. It was an idea sparked by Oklahoma City Thunder guard and union president Chris Paul. The messages included:
Black Lives Matter, Say Their Names, Vote, I Can’t Breathe, Justice, Peace, Equality, Freedom, Enough, Power to the People, Justice Now, Say Her Name, Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can), Liberation, See Us, Hear Us, Respect Us, Love Us, Listen, Listen to Us, Stand Up, Ally, Anti-Racist, I Am A Man, Speak Up, How Many More, Group Economics, Education Reform and Mentor.
Three hundred of the 350 players wore jerseys with those messages, including prominent white players and international stars. The jerseys worn on the first day were auctioned off online for the new Players’ Justice Fund, which has raised more than $700,000 from the auction.
From June to October 2020, NBA players and coaches have also shined a light on victims of police brutality and racism while speaking during media sessions.[1]
Support to combat systematic racism and promoting social justice
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he is working with the players' association "on a shared goal that the season restart leads to collective action towards combating systematic racism and promoting social justice."
Silver also pledged "to increase Black representation in all positions across the NBA and its teams, ensure greater inclusion of Black-operated businesses across NBA business activities, and the formation of an NBA foundation to expand educational and economic development opportunities across the Black community."[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Spears, Marc. ‘Black Lives Matter, people’: How the NBA’s social justice efforts dominated the season. October 12, 2020. theundefeated.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ↑ Gianatasio, David. NBA Drops Powerhouse Black Lives Matter Ad Demanding Social Justice. June 28, 2020. nusebycl.io. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
