In recent seasons, NBA players have refused to just shut up and dribble. With the NBA slated to start next month in the middle of a pandemic and racial strife, however, is it time for players to stop dribbling so the bouncing ball does not drown out their voice?
“Refusing to play potentially holds the NBA to a higher standard of accountability with regards to efforts to support racial equality,” said Alex Manning, an assistant professor of sociology at Hamilton College. “It complicates what it means for athletes to use the platform for social good. Are symbolic protests during games enough?