Players would lose an estimated 35% of their salaries Next year if they didn’t play this out. That is big money
This is why I can’t take these guys seriously when they claim how much the movement means to them.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. Put your money where your mouth is!
Until these players, namely LeBron James, do that — this remains a dog and pony show in my view. Nothing more. It’s accomplishing nothing. The games were only postponed, not cancelled. Nobody sacrificed anything to really send a message that this is important.
These BLM shirts they wear and messages they write on their shoes is just hot air. It’s the equivalent of a colored ribbon for a cause. It‘s a token symbol that says you care, but not necessarily that you‘re doing anything to really make an impact.
I don’t think I brought this up here, but I know I did on another forum. These guys have an opportunity to make a statement similar to the old 80’s movie, “Amazing Grace & Chuck”.
If these athletes, musicians and hollywood stars all banded together and refused to play or create art indefinitely until strides are made, they could actually help to forge change. Because when $ stops flowing in billion dollar industries, powerful people behind the scenes are affected. And they will pressure politicians to do something.
But doing the above takes sacrifice. Something these guys are still unwilling to commit to. They’d rather throw stones and bully on social media. And makes news by holding hands, kneeling, and sometimes postponing games. None of that is making any sort of sacrifice. And it’s not changing anything.
It’s a sad reality, but often the best way to make a point is to stop $$$ from flowing. People in entertainment actually have the ability to do that. By refusing to create their art. Athletes stop playing. Musicians stop creating music and performing. Actors stop making films. Most the of the super stars of their respective industries have more than enough $$$ already to retire if they so choose. Or at least enough to take a really long sabbatical.
But nobody seems to want to make that type of ‘Amazing Grace & Chuck’ sacrifice for what they believe in. They can postpone games all they want. The likes of Kenny Smith can walk off as many sets as they’d like. It‘s all show, no substance. There’s no follow through. Which makes me question how important it really is to them.
I’m mean, I realize it is important to them. Just not important enough to really disrupt a career or making money for. After all, they need more than $35M per year + endorsements. They need to pile up more career stats, awards, and titles. Can’t do that if you don’t play for a year or more, right?
They care when it’s convenient for them to care.
Muhammed Ali was once willing to give up everything for what he believed in. He made the ultimate sacrifice of his career and reputation. All these current day guys do is play twitter police and make token gestures. Almost like politicians. And like politicians, they mostly don’t really do anything impactful except cover their own you-know-what.
I’d like to also point out that social injustice and police brutality affects everyone. Not just one specific group. IMO this needs to be less about race and more about ensuring the right type of people are being hired and trained for what’s among the hardest, most stressful job out there. We don’t need power hungry people wielding badges and guns.
IMO, the vast majority of law enforcement are good people. Think about it. There are thousands and thousands of police interactions with civilians every single day in every city and town in America. It’s unlikely that we see even 1% of those interactions on the news. That’s an extremely small sample size to make judgements from or to label as ‘systemic’.
I think we all agree that we should see ZERO acts by police like those we’ve seen in recent years. It’s disgraceful. I think we also all agree that improvements can always be made in hiring and training practices. These celebs have the power to help make that happen. If they truly want to.
What I know won’t work is just showing anger about it. And just talking about it. And pointing fingers.
I’ll conclude with 2 final points.
First, I read someone say that it’s not these players/entertainers responsibility to make these sacrifices. And I agree, it’s not their responsibility.
Except, in this case, these entertainers have put themselves front and center with their actions and words. They seem to want credit for doing things to bring change w/o actually doing anything. Using their employer’s stage to kneel, all while on their dime and time and w/o consent, isn’t actually doing anything. It’s just creating the illusion that they’re doing something. Same goes for postponing games that will eventually be played.
Secondly, I read in one of the other threads that sacrifices don’t necessarily have to be made to enact change. With that I fully disagree. I believe history has shown that those that sacrifice the most seem to be the ones that make the biggest impact.
Like Muhammed Ali and many others like him, those wanting to change things need to put their morals and beliefs above all else. Especially above money and fame. Put everything on the line.
There’s no half way. You go all in, or don’t. As of now, these athletes and entertainers aren’t all in.