Honestly 2020 has been like a long dream.Coronavirus Pandemic 115,000 Americans dead.since March 1st..No games played since March 12th NBA,NHL,NCAA,MLS, and MLB never even started.Then George Floyd is murdered in full view by four Minneapolis Police on the streets at 38th and Chicago.
America’s social shift or social reality awakening happened when Americans had no games to watch or go to. No movies to attend ,No arts, No concerts, no clubs, or bars.We were forced to stay at home COVID-19 isolation.
Protest marches violence everyday since Memorial Day 50% of the protesters are White.Thing’s appear to be changing in real time.And admission that America is racist and has discriminated against black people for 400 years.The NFL the most popular game on earth is leading the way.
The Fight for Racial Equality,Justice and Black Lives matter.NFL admits they were wrong three years ago and should have supported the players. Committing $250 million dollars for social justice causes.June 19th better known as June-tenth is now a holiday for players.
The Vikings and Wilf Family ownership is donating $5 million to social justice.
The Vikings (social justice commitee) also unveil a social justice plan that includes $125,000 gift establishing the George Floyd Legacy Scholarship. The Twins story is tied to Calvin Griffith-the Pohlad ownership the richest in MLB has committed $25 million dollars.”We condemn racism in all its forms and we are committed to helping to enact meaningful change.” One NBA owner committed $100 million-for social justice causes-the only black owner in sports-Michael Jordan.
The Arizona Cardinals will support it’s players protest Including kneeling during the anthem. Houston Texans Head coach Bill O’Brian said he will take a knee during the national anthem next season with his players to protest racial inequality and police brutality.
Three years ago no Vikings players took a knee in support of Colin Kaepernick..
NASCAR’s three national series supports the only Black driver Bubba Wallace who ask that the confederate flag be band.And two days later they band the Confederate Flag at NASCAR events.Do you know how many black men and women have died at the hands of KKK and flag waving racist?
That Flag is the most racist symbol on earth. Confederate symbols have been used to intimidate consciously and remind Black Americans of the pain delivered be the preservation of slavery.That’s a start still 1700 Confederate Symbols remain in the U.S.To early to celebrate. People are still dying 7 of every 10 with COVID-19 that’s black..
Powerful-powerless wealthy whites poor blacks-two different views life experience one nation privileged-unprivileged fairness accountability. Universities are dropping lots of sports programs. Why? Football and basketball programs drive university revenues-schools can’t make money without student athletes in front of empty stadiums -no fans. America has a birth defect our culture is everywhere it’s being packaged.
Starting up games sports returning is not easy for owners because the coronavirus was not in the contract.Owners and players finally really see each other. For the players starting up again patience is a virtue in team sports. Individual sports like golf and tennis independent contractors here’s the money come and get it.Institutionalized racism is a culture in this country politics-media. It’s the way they do business. “400 years is coming out on the streets and people are saying, I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.”
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has a message for White people.”White people need to make change in thier lives-this is not one man’s story-this is almost every black man’s story which is why the problem is ours.”
Larry Fitzgerald is a longstanding contributing columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. He can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on “Almanac” (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.