Social injustice has been an ongoing plague in our country’s history since its inception back in 1776.In today’s world and with the recent events such as the brutal murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota in May, the killing of Broenna Taylor in her home in the middle of the night by law enforcement in Louisville, Kentucky in March and the slaughter of Ahmaud Arbery on a residential street as he was jogging in Brunswick, Atlanta in February, racial injustice has seen a public outcry like never before, not even during the Civil Rights era.
The “Black Lives Matter Movement”, otherwise known as “BLM” is moving forward with their mission that Black lives DO matter, that they demand justice and equality, to which they truly do deserve. Businesses, corporations, celebrities, cities, brands, and every day people of all colors, nations and creeds across the world are showing their support to BLM in a variety of different ways. Major league baseball made the choice to show their support by having the “BLM” logo emblazoned behind the pitchers mound on July 23, 2020 for the World Series game hosting the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers (per CNN). Unfortunately, not all fans are supportive of the stand that MLB has taken.
Comments have ranged from outrage to down right disrespectful remarks directed at the MLB for their choice in showing their support for the “BLM” movement. Accusations include that the new logo displayed on the pitcher’s mound is a political statement and causes divison, that by displaying the logo on the field is encouraging the problem, not helping it, with another fan so disgruntled at seeing “BLM” on the field caused him to stop watching the game entirely. Commenters didn’t stop there either, angery comments included the disgust in the Redskins contemplating a name change, and another comment brought up how basketball also has “Black Lives Matter” printed on the side of the court. However, one commenter did not seem to have an issue with the “BLM” logo being displayed on the field, but did make the suggestion for the MLB to sell BLM merchandise and to donate all proceeds to the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
Due to the threat of COVID-19 pandemic in the United States the Major League Baseball season 2020 experienced a delayed start. The first games began on July 23, 2020 with the Washington Nationals VS the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers VS the San Francisco Giants. Mookie Betts from the LA Dodgers showed his support of the “BLM” movement by taking a knee during the National Anthem, to which he received applause. Players also showed their solidarity with the movement by wearing special patches sewn on to their left sleeve reading “Black Lives Matter” and “United for Change”. The MLB logo has been changed as well, as the batter that is silhoutted is black. This original design logo is the first time it has ever been seen or worn on the field.
This is an interesting time in the United States, and a great time of change.
