It cannot be denied that there is a concerning level of racial tension in the United States right now. Hence, it is very timely of the Los Angeles Lakers players and staff to visit the National Civil Rights Museum just before Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The Lakers are composed mostly of young players, making the experience of visiting the museum of greater significance. For many of them, it was a time to reflect on themselves, their families, and their beloved country.

Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma even sent out a tweet about his takeaway from the experience.

“Why is the beginning of learning black history for most people start with slavery? Instead of African kings and queens and royalties. I wonder how they teach it the history in Africa… food for thought”

In a report by Ohm Youngmisuk for ESPN, the Lakers' defensive-minded swingman Corey Brewer also has something to reflect on. He said:

“Just to see how far we've come. Looking at the years 1940, 1930, 1964. My mom is 73. She was born in 1944. So, just thinking about what my mom had to go through and my dad.”

The National Civil Rights Museum is a complex of museums and historical buildings in Memphis, Tennessee. The Los Angeles Lakers visited the place before they played against the Memphis Grizzlies on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

However, Los Angeles lost its matchup with the Grizzlies, 123-114. The team leaves Memphis devoid of a victory, but the cultural awakening that the young Lakers took from this trip holds more value.