Freshman Examines How the Sports World Confronted Racial Injustice
WNBA players wear shirts to protest Jacob Blake’s shooting and racial injustice.
Photo courtesy of ABC News
Throughout American history, athletes have been persecuted and silenced for using their public platforms to advocate for social issues that contrast with the leaders of the sports world. Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was stripped of his championships after refusing the draft for the Vietnam War. Ali believed the United States was better off using its resources to abolish civil rights issues in America. This dynamic has often discouraged players from coming together to protest pressing social justice issues. There was a noticeable change in the sports world, though, after the shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man. On August 23rd, Blake was shot in the back seven times by a Wisconsin police officer. In light of the police brutality this past summer, the shooting of Jacob Blake catalyzed widespread action across several professional leagues. For example, professional athletes unified in response by refusing to play in scheduled games. The players’ strike was led by teams from the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), leagues that consist mainly of Black athletes. Though the strike only lasted a few days, public support for the athletes helped to leverage power in the current fight for racial justice. Since the NBA restarted in July, teams bowed their heads and knelt during the playing of the country’s national anthem. Many players showed support for the movement by promoting different messages on their jerseys and warm-up gear. In addition, The Milwaukee Bucks chose to boycott their fifth playoff game against the Orlando Magic. This action represents how important eradicating racial injustice is to the players, as they were willing to sacrifice one of their biggest games of the year to make a change. The decision created a ripple effect throughout the sports world. The NBA canceled the rest of Wednesday's games, and multiple athletes and teams from other leagues were inspired to take action. In the WNBA, Washington Mystics players wore shirts spelling out “Jacob Blake” prior to their game, with seven gunshot wounds drawn on the back. The Mystics and Atlanta Dream met on the court ahead of their scheduled game and spoke for almost an hour as they were joined by players of the Los Angeles Sparks and Minnesota Lynx. All of them then linked arms and took a knee. Initially, WNBA players planned to stop playing every seven minutes out of protest, but games were ultimately canceled. The Dream’s Elizabeth Williams later read a statement on behalf of all WNBA players which was televised by ESPN, announcing that the players “stand in solidarity” with the NBA and “look to take collective action” with players across all leagues. The statement also urged viewers to vote. The NFL’s response to racial injustice was especially notable considering its protests four years ago when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality in the United States. Kaepernick’s protest garnered attention and applause from the media and fellow athletes, but he was effectively banned from the league by owners for using his platform to spread awareness and voice his opinions. Four years later, NFL players have decided that change needs to be made within the league in order for them to keep playing. Elite players, including Pro Bowlers Michael Thomas, Deshaun Watson, and reigning Super Bowl MVP and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, posted a video on social media calling out the commissioner, Roger Goodell, to support Black athletes and address systemic issues within the league’s protocols. In response, Goodell posted a video on Twitter apologizing to players just hours later. After this, the NFL announced a commitment to donate $250 million over the next decade towards combating racism and social injustice in our country. The NFL, as well as the NBA, WNBA, and several other sports leagues are taking preliminary steps to make their leagues and the country at large more equitable and just places. Athletes in the United States and across the world will continue to use their platform to spark change within society for all social issues.
