This verdict might start to inform us, inform the world that the loss of life of a Black particular person in America won’t be ignored. That the rising epidemic of police violence towards Black individuals should finish, will finish, at present. — WNBPA, “Justice for George Floyd”
In the course of the 2020 WNBA season, WNBA gamers refused to miss, and refused to permit followers to miss, the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and different Black People killed by police. By dedicating the season to social justice, the gamers used their platform to amplify the fears, violences and injustices disproportionately skilled by Black individuals in United States, particularly in regard to interactions with the police.
Even after justice has been meted out — with a jury finding former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional homicide, second-degree manslaughter and third-degree homicide on Tuesday afternoon — WNBA gamers won’t overlook, and can refuse to permit followers to miss, the truth that the American ideally suited of “liberty and justice for all” is way from a actuality.
First time in what appears like without end that the justice system didn’t fail us. It’s a child step…however it’s a step https://t.co/HMMhGqBbZc
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) April 20, 2021
For WNBA gamers, like many People, the shocking outcomes of the trial, as cops hardly ever have been convicted for perpetrating lethal violence towards Black People, impressed an awesome sense of aid. But, this response — shock and aid for the conviction of a police officer who murdered a Black man in broad daylight and on digital camera — underscores how a lot work stays to be carried out.
My mother was afraid to look at the decision as a result of she didn’t wish to cry. She didn’t wish to be heartbroken by one other not responsible verdict. That ache that generations of Black individuals -not solely throughout this nation, however the world- harbor is insufferable. We’re drained. Sick and Drained.
— Essence T. Carson (@Pr3pE) April 20, 2021
As reigning MVP A’ja Wilson emphasised in a press release:
We’re grateful that at present’s verdict introduced accountability, nonetheless centuries of systemic racism nonetheless permeate our society. The battle for racial justice and equality continues. My teammates and I, together with everything of the WNBA, won’t relaxation till the phrases of George Floyd’s daughter Gianna turn out to be a actuality: ‘Daddy modified the world.’
For WNBA gamers, the work is way from carried out
Various different WNBA gamers echoed Wilson’s phrases on social media.
The toughest half proper now could be that for a lot of, whereas the decision rendered responsible, the fact is that nervousness nonetheless stays.
It is a marathon, not a dash. That is accountability, not absolution.
A step in the direction of justice now not being aspirational, however institutional.
— Chiney Ogwumike (@chiney) April 20, 2021
There’s nonetheless so a lot work to be carried out. However this can be a begin in the direction of the proper route. Let’s stick collectively and let’s try for a greater world. For you. For me. For everybody.
— Amanda Zahui B. (@AmandaZahuiB) April 20, 2021
we proceed to battle however this can be a begin, a step in the proper route…accountability!!!
— Kia Nurse (@KayNurse11) April 20, 2021
On Tuesday evening on NBA on TNT, Candace Parker articulated the work required — by WNBA gamers, by different athletes, by different People — to realize full, unfettered and unqualified “justice”:
We’re sitting right here on a sports activities present talking about justice, and talking about issues which can be happening in our court docket system. It’s not okay simply to be a bystander of justice or our political system or democracy. And I feel democracy, we consider as a vacation spot and it’s a steady journey and it needs to be considered that means. And simply because we’re athletes…we now have to actively take part in that as a result of if we’re not we’re not doing our job…we’re failing the era that comes after us…In the event you have a look at the previous, and the way many individuals earlier than needed to die and needed to not obtain justice for this to occur at present…Though this was a step in the proper route, I feel it’s actually about accountability however it’s additionally understanding that this isn’t ‘it.’ There’s much more trials which can be going different instructions that shouldn’t, that don’t, that’s aren’t simply. And so, sure, this can be a step in the proper route; we nonetheless have a lot extra to go.
The WNBA expresses assist for persevering with quest for social justice
The WNBA and its organizations, persevering with to take cues from their gamers, additionally issued statements in response to the decision, redoubling their commitments to social justice initiatives.
Whereas justice has been rightfully served within the case of George Floyd, we proceed to mourn his loss and should not neglect the numerous others who’ve suffered injustice in numerous methods all through our nation’s historical past. pic.twitter.com/ZVXY69Vj3B
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) April 20, 2021
What’s subsequent for WNBA gamers on this battle?
Final week, the WNBA/WNBPA Social Justice Council launched its focus for the 2021 season. Whereas celebrating “the gamers’ historical past of advocacy,” the Social Justice Council will undertake one other “season of advocacy” and proceed to work “to fight racial injustice and promote voting rights, champion gender equality and LGBTQ+ advocacy, and advance public well being initiatives.”
We stay up for seeing how WNBA gamers, led by the Social Justice Council, will use the platform supplied by the 2021 season to push for change.
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