Trump stays silent on Jacob Blake shooting
but vows to stop violent protests
and slams the NBA
(CNN) Even as President Donald Trump loudly pledges to restore
"law and order" to a Wisconsin city gripped by protests, he has
remained silent on what prompted the unrest: another police shooting
of a Black man.
Asked about the situation during a storm briefing at the Federal
Emergency Management Agency headquarters on Thursday, Trump
focused on quelling the protests without addressing the shooting
that precipitated them.
He wrote off a boycott by NBA players, claiming the league had
become too political after several teams declined to play Wednesday
night in protest of police violence against Black Americans.
Updated 2:02 PM ET, Thu August 27, 2020
Since the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who was killed in police custody in May, many athletes and sports leagues have been throwing their support behind the protest movement calling for change.
The latest development came Wednesday when the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks decided to boycott their playoff game against the Orlando Magic. The Bucks were responding to the recent police shooting of Jacob Blake, which happened in Kenosha, Wisconsin, about 40 miles from Milwaukee.
"The past four months have shed a light on the ongoing racial injustices facing our African American communities," the Bucks players said in a statement. "Citizens around the country have used their voices and platforms to speak out against these wrongdoings.
"Over the last few days in our home state of Wisconsin, we've seen the horrendous video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha, and the additional shooting of protestors. Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action, so our focus today cannot be on basketball."
NBA postpones all 3 Thursday games
From CNN's David Close
Here's a statement from the NBA:
“NBA playoff games for today will not be played as scheduled.
We are hopeful to resume games either Friday or Saturday.
There is a video conference call meeting scheduled later this afternoon
between a group of NBA players and team governors representing the
13 teams in Orlando, along with representatives from the National
Basketball Players Association and the league office and NBA Labor
Relations Committee Chairman Michael Jordan, to discuss next steps.”
Source: https://tinyurl.com/y6fzq9sa
WNBA postpones
all three Thursday games
"“This is not a strike. This is not a boycott.
This is affirmatively a day of reflection.
A day of informed action and mobilization," Ogwumike said."
The WNBA also released a statement saying,
“As the WNBA players continue discussions and reflection on recent events,
the WNBA announced that the three games scheduled for this evening
(Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever; Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty;
Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm) have been postponed. Information
regarding rescheduling of yesterday and today’s games will be provided
when available.”
Sourece: https://tinyurl.com/y5qvoxfb
What the athletes have done this week isn't good enough. Until it costs the owners, advertisers, arenas/stadiums & local economies money, I view this all as blowing smoke. Delaying a game or two is lame & has little if any impact. This issue needs to remain front and center each and every day until systematic changes are made. We can't have police who have accumulated numerous complaints in the past remain on the force until their personal ticking bomb goes BOOM!
If athletes want to make an impact & I know this is blasphemy, have the NFL threaten to delay the season until REAL changes are made across the country.
That will get the necessary attention to this matter.
Multiple NFL teams cancel practice
to discuss social injustice
From CNN’s Dan Kamal
Several NFL teams canceled practice Thursday to focus instead
on conversations of social injustice in wake of the shooting of
Jacob Blake by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The Denver Broncos joined the Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts,
the Washington football Team and New York Jets in forgoing practice
to allow players to weigh in on what they and their respective teams
can do to effect change.
After a practice earlier this week, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur
told the media, “It’s amazing to me that this is still happening.
So, we wanted to get our guys’ perspective and try to float around
some ideas on how we can make a difference and use our platform,
because things have to change."
Source: https://tinyurl.com/y5qvoxfb
Trump calls the NBA a "political organization"
From CNN's Allie Malloy
President Trump Thursday called the National Basketball Association
a “political organization” and slammed the league for its “very bad”
ratings when asked about Thursday’s historic protests against racial injustice.
“But I don’t know too much about the protests but I know their
ratings have been very bad. And that’s unfortunate.
They’ve become like a political organization and that’s not a
good thing. I don’t think that’s a good thing for sports or for the country,”
Trump added.
Source: https://tinyurl.com/y5hzkuvn
What the athletes have done this week isn't good enough.
Until it costs the owners, advertisers, arenas/stadiums & local
economies money, I view this all as blowing smoke.
Delaying a game or two is lame & has little if any impact.
This issue needs to remain front and center each and every day
until systematic changes are made. We can't have police who
have accumulated numerous complaints in the past remain on
the force until their personal ticking bomb goes BOOM!
If athletes want to make an impact & I know this is blasphemy,
have the NFL threaten to delay the season until REAL changes
are made across the country.
That will get the necessary attention to this matter.
Good point.
I am supportive of the effort, even if insignificant in and of itself,
because it is creating a lot of discussion -- serious discussion.
Maybe that will keep it front and center.
But improvement WILL NOT come if trump loses but wins again.
NBA postpones Thursday's playoff games,
hopes to resume Friday or Saturday
USA TODAY
The NBA decided to postpone Thursday's games after an emotional night
and day filled with player meetings to figure out how to proceed.
Also, it would have been difficult for the league to ask Boston and Toronto
to play because they were the first teams to publicly talk about the idea
of not playing in protest of the Blake shooting. It made sense to clear
he schedule and find a better day to resume.
" I want this systemic racism and
social injustice to be defeated "
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Duke men's basketball coach
Mike Krzyzewski spoke Thursday to Duke students and gave
his players a chance to do the same.
"We need to have a display on campus where every student on campus
is registered and will vote, and then you vote with your heart," Coach K said.
"I'm not telling you who to vote for, but if we don't get the proper leadership
at every level in our country, this is not going to go away. We can look at
and see the police brutality, but what you don't see are the amount of
educational opportunities that are deprived young black kids, health and
welfare opportunities, economic opportunities. These things can only be
changed with proper leadership and organization. And so the first step
in that is for all of us to vote."
"I want this systemic racism and social injustice to be defeated,"
Coach K said.
In June, Krzyzewski made an impassioned video for Duke University
where he defended Black Lives Matter, saying it
was a human rights statement, not a political one.
Nike says
it supports athletes' boycotts
By Cristina Alesci, CNN
Thu August 27, 2020
New York (CNN Business)
"Nike stands in support of NBA and WNBA players and athletes across the
sports community in their response to the senseless shooting of Jacob Blake.
We remain committed to addressing the issue of systemic racism
experienced by the Black community," the company said in a statement.
Nike (NKE) was one of many companies that voiced support for the
Black Lives Matter protests earlier this summer.
"Don't pretend there's NOT a problem in America.
Don't turn your back on racism.
Don't accept innocent lives being taken from us.
Don't make any more excuses.
Don't think this doesn't affect you.
Don't sit back and be silent."
'People still don't care':
An emotional Dominic Smith
discusses fight against racism
Justin Toscano MLB Writer
NEW YORK — An emotional Dominic Smith paused for around 30 seconds
as he pondered the most difficult part about the last two months, which
have included George Floyd’s death, Jacob Blake’s shooting and an
ongoing fight against racism in America.
“I think the most difficult part is to see people still don’t care,” Smith,
who is Black, said through tears.
“For this to just continuously happen, it just shows
the hate in people’s hearts. That just sucks, you know?
Being a Black man in America, it’s not easy.”
Source: https://tinyurl.com/y5a98z4q
Wow...
The reality of Black pain
is breaking American sports' status quo
By Howard Bryant, ESPN Senior Writer
" The United States has come apart, its reckoning regarding the police's
disproportionate use of violence toward its Black citizens sharply pronounced
in sports because of its influential Black population and the industry's reaction
to their Black advocacy, emblematic by Kaepernick's banishment but also by
the hostile climate surrounding them.
Underneath it all -
- the passive-aggressive questions about what walking out will prove,
how people will never ever watch the NBA again -- is threat,
questions less in search of illumination but designed to diminish the players,
to question their authenticity and disavow them of any thought of self-determination.
There is no citizenship beneath their tank tops, and even less humanity.
You're here to entertain us.
No, you're literally here to entertain us. That's your job.
Underneath that layer of threat is more threat, which is to say you better
be grateful there are people willing to watch, because if we don't watch,
you're back to being nothing.
The message is, of course, to remind these Black players of how precarious
their positions are, to let them know in case they forgot how thin the margin
is, that one misstep, injury or arrest, backtalk or protest can put you back
there with the rest. Never forget who you owe. "
ESPN Link: https://tinyurl.com/y6b6yc75
You point out an obvious problem with policing today, lack of proper training
and technique. Clearly, these officers were over their head and not well-trained
on how to tackle, subdue, or arrest an erratic, violent suspect. I have seen
reports that they attempted to use a taser on him, which did not work because
obviously they did not know how to use the taser properly. Tasers are extremely
effective when used properly. Seems like a lack of training and professionalism
appears to be a common theme in these cases. People claiming that this
suspect was a criminal.. well duh... that is kind of the type of person police
officers should be trained to deal with.
Excellent points! 
Opinion: Milwaukee Bucks' decision
not to play NBA playoff game
will alter the course of history
Nancy Armour, USA TODAY
Systemic racism, the poisonous attitudes and mindset that allow
a police officer to treat a Black person as if they have no worth,
no humanity, is woven tight into the fabric of this country.
The very foundations of American society – education, housing,
banking, policing, our criminal justice system, you name it –
are rooted in racism.
And unlike when Colin Kaepernick first took a knee to protest
police brutality, four years ago to the day Wednesday,
there will be no distorting this message.
Within an hour, the NBA was forced to postpone the day’s remaining games.
Not long after that, the Milwaukee Brewers announced that they would not
play, either, and at least two other Major League Baseball games were called off.
The WNBA, long a leader in social justice issues, stood in solidarity with
the NBA and also refused to play.
“We’re fed up. Enough is enough,” Alex Lasry, senior vice president
of the Bucks, said on Twitter. “Change needs to happen.”
Source: https://tinyurl.com/y4rsoevg
MLB protests continue:
A's-Rangers, Phillies-Nationals,
Twins-Tigers games won't be played
Thursday, USA TODAY
Major League Baseball players extended their strike for social justice
to a second day, as games between the Oakland Athletics and
Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals and
Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers will not be played as scheduled Thursday.
Additionally, according to ESPN, the Boston Red Sox will be meeting to
determine whether to play their game against the Toronto Blue Jays in
Buffalo.
The two called-off games brings to 10 the number of MLB teams
joining in solidarity with the NBA by sitting out in protest of police brutality
and systemic racism in the wake of the Kenosha (Wisc.) police shooting
of Jacob Blake in the back.
In announcing Thursday's postponement, the A's
included a message from their players that concluded:
" We will not take the field tonight, to help raise awareness for
these social issues, not just tonight, but for our collective future.
This is the first step in our relentless pursuit for meaningful change."
Source: https://tinyurl.com/y4w5yg5h
Opinion:
NBA players using their power and influence
to try and create meaningful change
Dan Wolken, USA TODAY
As a people, as a country, the idea that American citizens with money
and clout would use their influence to bend the system to their interests
is not new to us. We see it every day. We accept it without much
complaint. We celebrate those who do it as entrepreneurs.
We even vote them into office.
What NBA and WNBA players, followed by some in Major League Baseball,
soccer and tennis did on Wednesday night in demanding action on
racial justice issues by boycotting games, is really no different.
Whatever level of power and privilege they’ve attained
through their own skill in sports,
they have just as much right to wield it as does
the social media magnate lobbying not to be regulated
or the real estate tycoon hunting for tax breaks.
NFL
Colts, Jets, Washington among NFL teams
to cancel practice, focus on social justice issues
USA TODAY
Several NFL teams canceled practice Thursday to focus on social justice issues
and protest the shooting of Jacob Blake, following decisions by the Milwaukee
Bucks and other pro sports teams to not play the previous day.
"Friday we can return to football.
But (Thursday) will be about reflection instead,"
Washington Football team coach Ron Rivera said.
"In place of our practice at FedExField, the players, coaches and football staff
will meet as a football family and we will continue our open dialogue on the
issues of racism and social injustice in our country."
The Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers
and Tennessee Titans also decided Thursday not to practice.
Opinion:
Want an NFL season?
Then NFL owners need to start
speaking up and using influence
Nancy Armour, USA TODA
NFL players have had their say, forcing practices across the league to be canceled
as they work through their anger and sorrow at a society that continues to kill
Black men and women. Coaches have been eloquent and thoughtful, both in
supporting their players and issuing their own calls for action.
The voice missing in all of this? That of the NFL’s owners.
Not a surprise, really.
This is a group that, with very few exceptions, has met previous protests for
social justice with indifference or outright hostility. A group that is mostly male
and almost exclusively white, insulating them from discrimination and prejudice.
A group that includes donors and friends of President Donald Trump,
who has yet to pass on an opportunity to spew hate and bigotry.
And yet, if these owners want an NFL season to happen without interruption,
they’re going to have to speak up — publicly,
and to the national, state and local leaders with the power to
make the changes needed to root out systemic racism.
This has been brewing since the strikes in baseball and football.
The owners Association and players Association have vied differently in views of whose game is it.
We can watch scabs play and then watch players like Youkillis get hit nearly every game for crossing the picket line.
It the same problem now compunded with political implications. Fans base is desolate no stadium seats hard to find an audience at home that has any enthusiasm for the game .
Even gamblers are hard pressed to spend money dealing with the fact any given night a player can be pulled due to covid concerns.
Owners are nearing a certain loss in revenue player contracts allow for illness or personal leave time and this year is going to be difficult for evwryone to rebound and begin wagering activity....
All that said I find the owners association is about to understand a overwhelming deficit budget some of the more licritive franchises without huge luxury salaried players may indeed ride tgis storm out. But like rhe aba revenue salary concerns it will certainly be interesting to see how many huge players with 7 and 8 figure contracts go to free agency....
Excellent points!
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