The NBA has produced a new social justice public service announcement that was released Friday night 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":
This message comes in the wake of commissioner Adam Silver announcing "a shared goal" between the league and players for resuming the season on July 30 in Orlando will lead to "collective action towards combating systematic racism and promoting social justice."
Silver also noted the league will use its platform 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."
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1] I can TOTALLY see how the NBA is a CLASSIC example of the systemic racism that pervades our society.
Think about it!: Tens of thousands of BLACK college athletes [many of them basketball players] get a FREE four year education that will enable them to get a good job afterwards - all because of their athletic prowess [where blacks are disproportionately better than whites whose lives ALSO matter but they generally shouldn't be living them on the ball field and should keep their day jobs]. If the players are good enough, they [overwhelmingly non-white] will sign professional contracts that will pay them enough for ONE YEAR that [if they don't do anything stupid with the money] will ensure financial security such they will never have to work again.
TERRIBLE RACISM. Not enough blacks in the NBA [just three quarters]!!! I am also sure that when businesses are chosen to be connected to the NBA, the decision is based solely on race because in our society black run businesses are just NOT GIVEN A CHANCE!!!馃槒
Simply ABSURD!
2] I have ONE question for MR. Silver who is politicizing [and thus harming] the NBA. You say "systemic" racism. Where is racism built into the SYSTEM??? Where is it condoned or even officially permitted? What laws are there that mandate racist policies? [Well, three questions that are one].
There were racist laws - but we have to turn the clock back decades for that.
The NBA is one place that has done so much for blacks and their families [more so, than say, the NHL].
3] Silver [and the video] ignores the very problematic platform of the BLM movement [such as the strong anti Israel sentiment, calling Israelis genocidal in their treatment of Arabs].
4] What I think he is preaching is actually racism. Meaning, discriminate against people b/c they are white in favor of people who are black just b/c of the color of their skin. That is unfair and promotes more divisiveness in our already super fractured and divided country.
Here is a NOVEL idea. EQUALITY. One nation under G-d, indivisible and liberty and justice for ALL. We are ALL created in the image of G-d [as we see from Mr. Silver's Biblical namesake]. We ALL deserve equal rights and to be treated with dignity.
ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
