The NBA has returned, and apparently some people say they aren’t going to watch.
That’s not based on scientific data, because this isn’t an argument or a back-and-forth data debate. We’re looking at reaction to what’s going on before and after the games.
If you’re not following basketball, the league has taken substantial steps to make people of color’s voices heard before, during and after games. Players have phrases on the nameplates of their jerseys, including:
“See Us”
“How Many More”
“Education Reform”
…and many others. During the national anthem, players and coaches have the choice to peacefully protest by locking arms and kneeling. For those not kneeling, there is still mutual respect among teammates respecting the choice to stand instead.
The week before the season started, many players flat out refused to answer basketball questions during media sessions, answering with calls for justice for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Lakers guard Alex Caruso, who is white, stopped an interview, stating, “Anything today that you ask of basketball, I’m just going to respond with, ‘We need justice for Breonna Taylor.’ That’s going to be my response to the rest of the questions if they’re basketball-related.'”
It’s pissing some people off, causing others to complain of the exhaustion of hearing this conversation over and over, and leading some to comment “I won’t be watching” the NBA when they otherwise would have. Folks are asking or demanding that players stick to basketball and save social justice for another time.
I’m here to suggest that for whatever reason you may not want to watch social justice in postgame interviews, perhaps you can see this as a glimpse into the experiences of others. The fact that one can choose to walk away from the conversation and “not watch” is a privilege that not everyone has. Yes, NBA players are young, wealthy celebrities, but before that, many were poor black kids from forgotten and unheard neighborhoods.
I understand sports have always been viewed as an escape from reality. But if we listen to the realities of the underprivileged, we may realize that using sports as just an escape is longer a privilege we’ve earned. While we can still relish in the thrill (or bemoan the agony) of a buzzer-beater in overtime, we have to admit that we’ve been ignoring the things that truly matter for too long.
We’ve tried in recent years to further conversations on injustices and implicit biases.
“See Us,” we asked.
“I won’t be watching,” we heard.
We’ve spoken out and rallied for police reform to eliminate profiling and prejudices that can factor into tragic results.
“How Many More?” we cried.
“I won’t be watching,” we heard.
We’ve questioned the way our communities are educated, where poor areas, after generations of segregation, discrimination, and suburban flight, can barely afford basic operations, while specialized equipment and programs are readily available in wealthy districts.
“Education Reform,” we appealed.
“I won’t be watching,” we heard.
If you’re not following the NBA because you don’t like sports or basketball, that’s totally fine. But if not through these voices wearing jerseys that remind us what matters, in what other ways are you watching (i.e. listening to) the conversation? How are you, or are you at all, challenging others in your circles to watch, too? Much love everyone.