The NBA isn’t keeping the “Black Lives Matter” slogan which was emblazoned on the court during this COVID-19 Bubble season as a show of support for issues that plague the league’s players and the nation at large.
However, the basketball court at the Charles E. Smith Center will look much different. It reflects the change that is needed in the world and college athletics as far as Black lives being valued and receiving equal justice. The school officially became one of the first to unveil a “BLM” aka “Black Lives Matter ” emblem on its home arena floor.
As the NBA seems to be bailing out of the movement a bit, universities across the country are stepping up.
Head Coach Jamion Christian, stated the following:
“One thing about being at GW, it’s a place where they’re fighting social injustice and racism around the world and not just in the United States.”
The coach calls it amazing that he didn’t have to fight for it to be done. He goes on to say “it’s great to be in and part of an environment where they appreciate that.” He added that most coaches would’ve had to ask for that to be done, but he didn’t as it was told to him by the administration that the university would be adding the feature for this upcoming season.
“They feel that they are at a university where they are supported,” said GW Women’s Basketball head coach Jen Rizzotti. “Regardless of their race or their background or where they are from. It’s a statement from our administration and from the university that their lives matter, this matters to us.”
In their press release, GW Athletics stated the intent of the statement is to show unity, support, understanding and a commitment to continuing to educate today’s society on the historic plight of too many in the Black community.
The Colonials are one of the first basketball programs to add the “BLM symbol to their court. Being trendsetters resonates well at the Foggy Bottom University in NW Washington DC.
In recent months we’ve seen the NBA, WNBA, NCAA and MLB and its players use their platforms to raise awareness about systemic oppression, social injustice and police brutality while constantly advocating for change.
READ MORE: The NCAA Wants No Part of Mississippi’s Infatuation with Confederate Flag
The aforementioned Christian says his players are excited to see the symbol on their home arena floor. It shows the empathy the school has for such a sensitive matter, especially in today’s perilous times.
The Colonials open their season on November 25th with a trip to Annapolis to face the Midshipmen of Navy.
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