New Orleans Pelicans: Continuing Social Justice Initiatives in 2021

Examining how the NBA and New Orleans Pelicans will continue being a platform for social justice in 2021

I don’t need to give a summary of the events that are happening in the United States now, because we all know what’s happening. The question is how can we promote change? That’s the same question the New Orleans Pelicans and fellow NBA players asked before resuming the season.

It seems like forever now but remember in order to resume the season in the bubble, NBA players through the NBAPA wanted to see the NBA do something that would allow the players to speak out against racial inequality.

The players got their wish and so far the NBA has done a great job by allowing players to place statements on the back of their jerseys, speak out during press conferences, and adorning the court with the statement Black Lives Matter.

When the Jacob Blake tragedy struck the country, NBA players took it one step further by refusing to take the court for playoff games until the NBA owners committed to making more changes. Thanks to that powerful effort, the NBA agreed to turn arenas into voting centers.

Now, NBA players are outraged again. The Breonna Taylor indictment marks another failure to the black community by the United States. New Orleans Pelicans players Jrue Holiday, Josh Hart, and J.J. Redick even took to social media with statements.

Now, players want to know what can they do to continue their actions in 2021. NBA commissioner Adam Silver is already voicing uncertainty that the social justice initiatives will continue. I know for  New Orleans Pelicans players, that’s frustrating, to say the least.

Everyone understands that the NBA is a business, and we don’t need to sugarcoat that to a degree social justice initiatives hurt their wallet because they lose some viewers who don’t agree with the message. To which I’d say that shouldn’t matter.

With New Orleans Pelicans players, we’re seeing positive changes being made in the New Orleans community. Jrue Holiday is giving back to black-owned businesses while recently Zion Williamson made a video about voter registration.

Don’t take away their voices. One of the best things about the NBA is that it’s a players league. The freedom we give NBA players to use their platforms for good is a great thing that’s unique to the NBA.

Will NBA players single-handily change the problems in our country? No, of course not. What these NBA players are doing though is becoming pillars to their community, spreading awareness, and doing what they feel is right.

I loved seeing what the New Orleans Pelicans did in their brief time in the bubble and I’m excited to see what the creative minds on this team can do with a full season of initiatives in 2021. My plea to the NBA is don’t take away their voices, let them speak.