The NBA is committed to using its platform to continue advocating for racial justice throughout the restart in Orlando, and Toronto Raptors center Marc Gasol believes the messages put forth by the players and the league won't dissipate.
Over a Zoom call, Gasol was asked if he was concerned that the return to meaningful basketball games would distract fans from the greater movement at hand. “The message will continue to be sent throughout the regular season and the playoffs and beyond that,” Gasol said:
“I don’t worry too much about diluting the message because it’s really strong and it goes beyond sports. I’m sure we’re going to do a good job of continuing to reinforce it.”
The Black Lives Matter movement and ongoing fight for racial equality is the primary theme of the league's resumption plan in Orlando, as evidenced by the various displays advocating for justice at Thursday night's games. The Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans players, plus coaches, team personnel, and referees came together to kneel during a powerful national anthem before the season officially tipped off, moments after a video on the Black Lives Matter movement played.
TNT's broadcast featured an intro video from Meek Mill highlighting the movement, and the broadcast frequently cut to messages on player's shoes and highlighted social advocacy organizations that certain players and coaches are involved with.
Marc Gasol, who played 11 season with the Memphis Grizzlies, credits his experiences in Memphis and visiting the National Civil Rights Museum for furthering his education on issues of race.
“The history is still there and the education is still there to be taught. There are a lot of leaders in the Memphis community area that can really help you. Yes, you have to learn a lot and see how much of a struggle and how African-American people lacked opportunity throughout history. How hard they had to work to get that opportunity to be where they are now and they are still not where they are supposed to be. ”
Gasol will wear “Justice” on his jersey while in Orlando. Toronto continues their title defense on Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
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