The more things change, the more they stay the same. Another police shooting of an unarmed African-American man has caused protests, this time around Wisconsin. Jacob Blake, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was shot in the back by police officers Sunday evening as he was entering his car.
Since it happened in Wisconsin, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LeFleur felt he needed to address the incident with the team and while talking to the media following practice on Monday.
#Packers Matt LaFleur said he met with their leadership council after practice. Wanted to get his players' perspectives. “Thinking about Jacob Blake. It's amazing to me that this is still happening. Things have to change… we can't stand for this any longer.”
This is just the latest in a long line of incidents regarding police throughout the pandemic time period. The most notable of these are Breonna Taylor, whose killers still have not been charged, sparking multiple athletes to speak out, and George Floyd, whose death sparked nationwide protests.
These incidents have changed the outlook of many people throughout the country and in the sports world, with all four major sports league commissioners, including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell is notable due to his opposition to Colin Kaepernick's and others kneeling protests during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, which sparked backlash by many, including President Donald Trump.
Following Floyd's death, however, Goodell, as well as NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who barred players from kneeling in 2017, offered their support to their players and acknowledged they were wrong in stopping players from protesting. The NBA has taken the movement one step further, allowing players to put approved messages on the backs of their jerseys and putting “Black Lives Matter” at the top of the center of the courts in the bubble.
Many hope that these acts of solidarity will bring an end to police brutality and racial injustice, but more work is needed to be done, as shown by the incident over the weekend.
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