Ja Morant (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Ja Morant has an idea for a new jersey amid the NBA’s new policy allowing player to promote social issues.
A new NBA policy that will reportedly allow players to support a social justice cause of their choosing is expected to be enacted next season, and is a step in the right direction for a league which encourages its athletes to use their voices for positive change. The likes of LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and countless others have voiced their backing for the Black Lives Matters protests after George Floyd’s tragic death. Ideally, such a policy change would bring even more attention to this cause, and many other societal and cultural issues we face on the daily.
Despite all of this, Ja Morant was a little more direct with his idea, employing his own jersey number to make a point on his Instagram story.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant shares anti-police message on Instagram in response to new NBA jersey policy.
Morant, who is in the running for NBA Rookie of the Year with New Orleans Pelicans stud Zion Williamson, posted a photo on his IG story with a very specific message.
For those unfamiliar, said phrase is specifically a shorter version of normal anti-police slogans, referencing the behavior and abuse of responsibility by those meant to serve and protect the public. What Morant is arguing, and part of what the BLM movement is protesting, is that African-Americans haven’t been given the same benefit of the doubt at the hands of the law.
This disparity in police brutality aimed at African-Americans has long been an issue conveniently ignored by those who weren’t directly impacted, specifically in the white community. However, recent events such as Floyd’s videotaped killing has opened even their eyes, and athletes everywhere are using their platforms to make sure this anger doesn’t fade into the background of our daily news cycle.
Even in jest, Morant is doing his part.