Friday, July 31, 2020

Symbolism over substance

The NBA season resumed Thursday night with a pair of games taking place. However, much of the fanfare had little to do with the games themselves.

As promised, the players wore slogans on the backs of their jerseys to bring attention to their favorite social justice causes. Also, the phrase "Black Lives Matter" was painted on the court. And of course, the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans knelt in unison during the National Anthem.

But in light of the egregious human rights abuses in China (where the NBA and its players profit quite handsomely), these actions can be seen as little more than empty rhetoric.

I have been quite consistent in my viewpoint of not being offended by pro athletes' advocacy. Some methods of protest would be ones which I personally would never partake but that doesn't mean I oppose someone else participating. But if players/management are going to decry what they contend are human rights abuses in America but continue to profit from relations with a communist country which engages in even more abhorrent behavior, then I can righteously ignore anything they have to say in the name of "social justice."

In short, the NBA can go pound sand.

----------------------------------------------------

No comments:

Post a Comment