After losing the 2020 election, Republican leadership across the county has been working non-stop to promote false election claims and institute voter suppression laws.
When Georgia shoved through their voter suppression legislation earlier this year, one that blatantly targets Black and Brown communities, many took action against the state. Organizations protested and pressured Georgia-based companies such as Delta, Home Depot and AT&T to speak up. In the sports world, all eyes were on Major League Baseball as their All-Star Game was scheduled to take place in July in Atlanta.
With the pressure mounting, MLB, which has a documented history with race and Atlanta, moved the game to Colorado. A month later, sports have spoken up again.
Earlier this week, a number of Player’s Associations united to speak out against voter suppression.
“Over the last few months, state legislators across the country have proposed bills and new legislation that if passed, could make it harder for ordinary citizens to cast their ballots in future election seasons. Today, nine (9) major sports unions in North America are announcing their joint opposition to these legislative efforts aimed at restricting the right to vote, and join the hundreds of individuals, foundations and corporations in taking a ‘Stand for Democracy’.” wrote the unions in their joint statement.
This is a major step, and the right one to take. Voter suppression must be combatted as it deteriorates everyone’s fundamental right to vote.
The actions of Republicans in 2021 are a blatantly punitive response to losing the presidential election and the two U.S. Senate seats in Georgia. It’s why GOP led state legislatures from Georgia, Texas and Arizona are taking these steps, so that they don’t lose any more ground in a rapidly diversifying country.
Their actions are a manifestation of their need to control and corral people who don’t vote or look like them. It’s a thirst for power that corrupts, like a drug addiction. They want it and need it despite the cost and consequences. They will sacrifice everything, including decency, morality, common sense, and individual rights to acquire and hold on to it.
Like Thanos’ quest for the Soul Stone, the Republicans’ need for self-satisfaction and gratification trumps (literally) and disregards the aftermath for those who suffer from their actions.
But their move to suppress people’s right to vote is being combatted. That opposition increased in strength with sports’ latest entry to the fight.
“We Stand for Democracy.
A Government of the people, by the people.
A beautifully American ideal, but a reality denied to many for much of this nation’s history.
As Americans, we know that in our democracy we should not expect to agree on everything.
However, regardless of our political affiliations, we believe the very foundation of our electoral process rests upon the ability of each of us to cast our ballots for the candidates of our choice.
For American democracy to work for any of us, we must ensure the right to vote for all of us.
We should all feel a responsibility to defend the right to vote and to oppose any discriminatory legislation or measures that restrict or prevent any eligible voter from having an equal and fair opportunity to cast a ballot.
Voting is the lifeblood of our democracy and we call upon all Americans to join us in taking a nonpartisan stand for this most basic and fundamental right of all Americans.”
With their statement, the Basketball Players Union (BPU), Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA), National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), National Women’s Hockey League Players’ Association (NWHLPA), National Women’s Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA), Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association (PWHPA), United States Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA), and Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) have put those supporting voter suppression on notice.
Many are wondering why the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) haven’t joined the fight against voter suppression yet they united in supporting the right to unionize.
Regardless of the two’s absence, the fight continues. Sports unions have assembled like The Avengers in “End Game” to fight efforts by Republicans to impede and suppress voters.
Let’s hope they get the final snap like Iron Man.
