Following the horrifying shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, key Milwaukee Bucks figures addressed ongoing social injustice.
The Milwaukee Bucks may have taken care of business on the court on Monday in Orlando, but they left little doubt that their minds were very much on the tragic and disgusting events that took place in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday evening.
Jacob Blake, 29, was shot seven times in the back by police while trying to get into a car where his children were seated. Blake is said to have been unarmed and attempting to subdue a fight between two women when the incident took place.
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At this time of writing, Blake is thankfully said to be in a stable condition in hospital, while video of the incident has sparked understandable protests of sadness and outrage.
Those sentiments certainly seemed to be shared by Bucks players and coaches, who prior to their departure for the bubble in Orlando, had been incredibly vocal and visible presences in protests following the killing of George Floyd.
On that front, any illusion of the players being able to do more in the fight for social justice by using their platforms while the spotlight was on them at Walt Disney World now looks to be well and truly shattered.
Speaking following Milwaukee’s Game 4 victory, George Hill made it clear that he didn’t feel it was right to discuss basketball and instead voiced his own continuing hurt and frustration at the still frequent instances of racial injustice and police brutality. Asked about what the Bucks could do from their position in the bubble, Hill spoke strongly to his personal feeling of powerlessness.
"“Man, we can’t do anything. First of all, we shouldn’t have even came to this damn place, to be honest. I think coming here just took all the focal points off what the issues really are. But we’re here. It is what it is. We can’t do anything from right here. But definitely when it’s all settled, some things need to be done.”"
Khris Middleton also spoke directly to the Jacob Blake shooting and the sense of fear that incidents like that continue to sow among black and minority communities.
"“I mean, I think this is why we have so many people outraged all over the country. The man was shot seven times at point-blank range in the back. It doesn’t get any sicker than that.I think people are starting to see why Black people, colored people are so afraid of police because at any time, no matter what type of position, no matter what they did right or wrong, their first act is to shoot us. That’s a very scary situation to be in when they’re supposed to protect us.”"
Beyond the players, head coach Mike Budenholzer opened up his pre-game media availability with his own statement of support for Blake and his family, noting:
"“We need to have change, we need to be better and I’m hoping for the best for him and his family. I’m hoping for the best as we work through this in Wisconsin and in Milwaukee and in Kenosha.”"
As an organization, the Bucks also released their own statement via social media, pledging their continued commitment to enact policy change, while also calling for justice on behalf of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Sylville Smith, Ernest Lacy, Dontre Hamilton, Tony Robinson, and Joel Acevedo.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 24, 2020
It’s clear the Bucks as a whole will continue to speak up, but even more importantly their understanding that they’ll need to help more directly in terms of action even long after this season has finished has also been made abundantly clear.