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United for justice: WNBA players address social issues

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 16: The Los Angeles Sparks huddle before the game against the Washington Mystics on August 16, 2017 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 16: The Los Angeles Sparks huddle before the game against the Washington Mystics on August 16, 2017 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Tonight, the Washington Mystics hosted the second place Los Angeles Sparks.  As two of the top five teams in the league, the game is a primer of sorts for the 2017 playoffs. However, before getting down to business, the players of the Mystics and Sparks took a moment to unite for something greater than basketball.

The two teams linked arms in solidarity during the national anthem, as opposed to standing on either side of the court.  The gesture was a response to the state of turmoil may feel after a white nationalist march last weekend led to violence and three casualties in Charlottesville, VA.

All in together

The united gesture follows a moment of silence New York Liberty held on Sunday to remember 32-year old Heather Heyer, and Virginia State Patrol Troopers Berke Bates and Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen, who died tragically as a result of the events in Charlottesville, Virginia. Heyer was struck by a car that drove into a crowd of counter-protesters Saturday afternoon. State Trooper Bates and Lieutenant Cullen died in a helicopter crash at approximately 5:00 pm on Saturday. “I think it definitely represented what we’re all about. It’s all for one and one for all” said WNBAPA president and Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike after Sunday’s moment of silence.

Mystics guard Natasha Cloud told Lindsay Gibbs of ThinkProgress her team has been keeping up with the events in Charlottesville.  “It’s terrible, the state with which our country is in right now. Things need to change,” Cloud said before the game. She continued, “we want to use our platform, to send the message that we accept and love every person … across the board, we’re human. We’re all supposed to be loved and respected.” Later in the evening, the Seattle Storm and Minnesota Lynx also joined arms during the national anthem.

New WNBA

This falls in line with the new approach to proactive activism the league has taken since fining its players for their pregame support of #BlackLivesMatter last season. President Lisa Borders believes the league has learned from that moment in its history. “We are the middle child in the NBA family. Big brother is 71; little brother, the Gatorade League, is 16. We are 21,” said Borders at the 2017 All-Star Game, “Like all middle children, I think it took us a while to find our voice.”

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The voice has rung true to growth and maturity and the league released a statement in support of its players ahead of tonight match in the nation’s capital.  In the statement, Borders commented,

"“We fully support our players, who are offering a demonstration of unity that we hope America can emulate in the wake of the tragic events in Charlottesville. We offer our sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones and our support to those who were injured during the inexcusable violence that transpired.”"

The WNBAPA director of operation Terri Jackson released the following statement on Wednesday night,

"“The WNBPA fully supports our players and their efforts to cometogether as one to demonstrate unity and leadership in the wake of therecent tragic events in Charlottesville.  Our members are strong, andpassionate advocates of a world where hate is not tolerated.”#UNITY #CHARLOTESVILLE"

The WNBA has shown an evolution in its 21 seasons.  Teams like the Seattle Storm and New York Liberty are electing to promote reproductive health, while the Connecticut Sun and Phoenix Mercury support local food drives. This is in addition to league-wide initiatives like Breast Cancer Awareness (being celebrated this month throughout the league) and Pride Month. Overall, the message in the WNBA is far from just play basketball.  Although, they can certainly do that too!

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