Say Her Name

There has been an ongoing movement in the WNBA for equality for some time now. Equality in pay, as well as respect. The recent success of the United States Women's Soccer team on the soccer field and in the world of women's equality has led the way for the WNBA to join the fight. As of yet, this movement for equality hasn't gained much success in the court room but has made it's voice heard loud and clear around the world.

    A major voice in this movement for equality is WNT star Megan Rapinoe even was mentioned by Donald Trump.

    There is a strong tie between WNT and the WNBA, besides the fight for equality. A power couple has emerged. Seattle Storms 4-time Champion, Sue Bird, just so happens to be dating WNT star Megan Rapinoe. 

WNT isn't the only league fighting for equality, WNT meet the WNBA - WNBA meet WNT. Sue Bird, being an elder states(wo)man in the WNBA is very well respected in the basketball world, men's and women's. Sue hasn't always been so vocal, but she picked the right time to use her platform to being attention to the inequality all women face.

                                                   

                                                             This is so much more than sports.


Keep Sue Fresh!

COVID threw a wrench in everyone's life, athletes included. The WNBA created the Wubble in Florida. A bubble the players lived in during the season. Get it WNBA bubble.... At the same time the United States is embroiled in a time of racial injustice with the killing of Black and people of color. While each killing brings the country closer to a possible race war, one particular murder stood out. The murder of Breonna Taylor in her own home, in her own bed had came out just as players arrived at the Wubble. Breonna Taylor saw no justice. Before the first WNBA and a moment of silence, Layshia Clarendon of the Liberty spoke about the league's dedication this season. Clarendon said "We are dedicating this season to Breonna Taylor, an outstanding EMT who was murdered over 130 days ago in her home".

 

    The WNBA adopted the theme for it's season of "Say Her Name". Say Her
Name was on every WNBA jersey this season; even NBA players displayed Say Her Name or Say Their Names as their chosen cause of the season. Say Her Name because she was a woman. Say Her Name because she was a Black woman. Say Her Name for equality. Say Their Names, the women who are so easily overlooked and undervalued, even in death. Breonna Taylor was an EMT, she decided to use her life to try to save others and her life could be taken so easily, with no justice. The WNBA and it's players used the season to bring attention to the various injustices women face, not just equal pay but in the value of a woman. Players wore shirts with political connotations each time they stepped off their team bus or stepped on the court. The court was plastered with the words of equality and justice.

    WNBA players took the position on the front line of the social justice movement. NBA players spoke out, but the ENTIRE WNBA spoke out. Ask Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler what the power of women banding together can do. Loeffler wrote a letter to the league "opposing the league's choice to include Black Lives Matter in its social justice initiatives".

    VOTE WARNOCK shirts soon emerged from the team uses. And people did indeed vote Warnock. The Atlanta Dream sent out a statement stating "We are the women of the Atlanta Dream," Dream players said in a July 10 statement.
     

    "We are women who support a movement. We are strong and we are fearless. We offer a voice to the voiceless. Our team is united in the Movement for Black Lives. It is not extreme to demand change after centuries of inequality. This is not a political statement. This is a statement of humanity. Black lives matter."

    The WNBA has developed a Social Justice Council made up of players, Council Advisors, League and Team Representatives. According to the WNBA website, "in its inaugural season, the Social Justice Council cultivated designated spaces for community conversations, virtual roundtables, and other activations to address this country’s long history of inequality, implicit bias and systemic racism that has targeted black and brown communities. With an intentional plan to educate, amplify and mobilize for action, the WNBA and the WNBPA focused on engaging educators, activists, community and business leaders with players, team and league staff, and fans."

    Ironically, the WNBA viewership was up this season. More people heard the message and joined the movement. It's not just the everyday person who is, finally, noticing the WNBA, NBA players have been wearing the orange WNBA hoodie all season. I have always believed that if the NBA players joined in supporting the league more everyday people would also. Increased viewership has come at the best possible time. The WNBA's voice is being heard loud and clear.

LeBron supports the WNBA

                                                              SAY HER NAME!!!!!