Professional athletes are among the most celebrated figures in our society today. The players in the NBA are no exception. Their high-flying maneuvers and prowess on the hardwood make them idols for many, young and old. The players in the NBA is probably a more diverse lot than any professional American sports league, featuring players of all types of backgrounds, but it’s clear to see that Black players are the majority. Seeing this, as well as the diversity initiatives put in place by the NBA, it would seem the NBA would do more to celebrate the Black men that are the lifeblood of the association.
Designers and music artists, Jahmeke Rodriquez & Duane Rowe took it upon themselves to present the NBA with a way to celebrate its Black players and the community that spawned them. They are now petitioning for the NBA to incorporate a Black History Month set of jerseys for the players to wear during February. The designs are an Afrocentric reimagining of the current NBA jerseys with Kente prints on the trim and numbers. “The NBA Black History Month Jersey project is specifically geared towards uplifting our culture through educating our audience about some of the most influential figures, known and unknown, in African/African-American culture while at the same time displaying our design capabilities,” explained Rodriguez.”We feel that having the NBA athletes wear these jerseys would not only showcase African kente designs but educate people about the accomplishments of the honorary recipients on a much larger scale.”
A Black History Month jersey would make sense for a league that celebrates culture so much. Every March, the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic (teams from cities with heavy Latino populations) celebrate “Noches Latina” or “Latin Night” to honor the NBA’s Hispanic players and fans. Every St. Patrick’s Day, every team playing dons green jerseys in celebration, though there aren’t too many Irishmen playing in the league.
The NBA hasn’t necessarily been silent for Black History Month. Last year, the association launched its “Think BIG” campaign which featured a series of digital and broadcast productions, starting on Dr. Martin Luther King Day with games. Legendary NBA star and activist Bill Russell co-hosted an hour-long special about King on the NBA’s Sirius XM station with the NAACP’s Mark Thompson. Future Hall of Famer, Ray Allen (then with the Miami Heat) designed a special NBA logo with the images of Dr. King, Russell, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman which was put on shooting shirts worn on select days. They were also sold in the NBA Store on 5th Avenue in New York City.
Yes, the NBA has acknowledged Black History Month, but considering the league is comprised of mostly Black men (and has been for decades) and they celebrate other cultures during play, a Black History Month jersey would be appropriate. Many will already be wearing sneakers from the Nike and Adidas Black History Month sneaker designs (this writer is still trying to find the correlation of the designs to Black culture). Their employers should show the same pride in them.
Granted, the NBA itself is a testament to Black excellence, but the players are not totally doing it for themselves. They have coaches, owners and fans that they are also winning for. They should have the chance to “put on” for themselves during a month dedicated to them and their people. Not to mention, they play under the banner of a White man (Jerry West) who is in the NBA’s logo. Evidenced by the backlash that players like Derrick Rose, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and others got for showing some pride by wearing “I Can’t Breathe” shirts to warm up in and the presence of petitions to end Black History Month altogether, Black History Month jerseys may not be well-received by White fans. However, something really should be done to celebrate Black History Month on the court since other cultures are celebrated during play. If the proposed Kente cloth designs are too strong, maybe every team can rock a red, black and green color scheme. Putting “Da” in front of the team like the Noches Latina jerseys use “el” or “los” (i.e. Los Bulls) probably wouldn’t be a good idea. Nevertheless, the idea has been proposed, and it should be seriously considered.
Sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/the-nba-commissioner-adam-silver-for-black-history-month-celebrate-the-legacy-of-african-americans-by-having-players-wear-these-commemorative-jerseys
See the designs on Instagram at @NBABHMJerseys
The post The Petition For Black History Month Jerseys For The NBA appeared first on Don Diva Magazine.
