It also became the title of an insightful Showtime documentary series about the long struggle of NBA stars and other black athletes to find their political voice, dating back to at least the 1960s.
That struggle for a political voice seemed to reach executive level in 2016 when the NCAA joined in boycotting a controversial North Carolina law that removed anti-discrimination protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and forced transgender people to use bathrooms in public Facilities that are matched to their gender at birth.
Six months later, the NCAA “reluctantly” lifted its ban on holding championships in the state after the state lawmaker and governor canceled what was called a bathroom bill and replaced it with another. The NCAA said it had “minimally achieved” what it wanted.
Although the NCAA left the door open to withdraw hosting options at short notice in the future, the agreement was a classic compromise: it was not completely satisfactory for both parties.
This example shows the risk the MLB is taking. Boycotts are never a sure thing as a tactic for social or political change. They also ask a price, often from people who can least afford it – like the workers and shopkeepers who benefit from the all-star game in the town where the MLB is hosting it.
Even Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and voting rights organizer Stacey Abrams, who was close to winning the gubernatorial elections won by Kemp, firmly oppose the state’s new electoral law, but – like Kemp – oppose loss of jobs and revenue that the boycott entails.
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