As a sports fan and journalist, my first reaction was, "But we just got sports back." But as an eighteen-year-old black man, my prevailing reaction was "Will they get it now?"

Wednesday, August 26, 2020 — the four-year anniversary of Colin Kaepernick first kneeling for the National Anthem — the Milwaukee Bucks initiated the sports world's most gut-wrenching social injustice protest to date: they refused to play. That evening, two other contests were postponed and it immediately became evident that the NBA season was in jeopardy just as it was back in March at the advent of the coronavirus pandemic.

The act of protests stems from the near-fatal shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. While this situation turned out to not be as cut and dry as the incidents involving George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others, it is clear that Blake did not deserve to nearly lose his life.

Last week was an emotional one for several in NBA circles.

Said an emotional Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers:

"It's amazing how [the African-American community] keeps loving this country, and this country doesn't love us back." (A full video that is worth the watch).

NBA on TNT analyst and former NBA star Charles Barkley explained that

"It's exhausting being black," with ESPN personality and former Duke basketball standout Jay Williams added that he is "tired of being tired."

Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill called the events in Wisconsin "sickening and heartless," with teammate Khris Middleton adding that, "We can't do anything, it's up to our lawmakers, and our police officers to stop shooting us."

Middleton brings up a profound point: where is the government in all this? Why have athletes, people that are paid to entertain us and amaze us with athleticism, on the front lines of the social justice fight? Isn't it the government's, not NBA commissioner Adam Silver's, job to uphold "liberty and justice for all?" Isn't it the president's, not LeBron James's, duty to defend "all men are created equal...with such unalienable rights (such as) life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?" Why are guys like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes orchestrating voting initiatives instead of local governments working to alleviate voter suppression? Case in point, why is Wisconsin legislature needing to meet with the Bucks to discuss this situation, one that involves the law?

Athletes, while extremely influential are not politicians, lawmakers, and the like.

So where has the government been? Not being helpful. Consider such quotes:

Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff Marc Short called NBA protests "absurd and silly," saying,

"If they want to protest, I don't think we care."

President Donald Trump berated the NBA, calling the league,

"a political organization," that "people are tired of."

Said president's senior advisor Jared Kushner:

"NBA players are very fortunate that they have the financial position where they're able to take a night off from work...so they have that luxury."

For me, this is alarming because a government, by my interpretation, is supposed to protect all its citizens; but time and time again, the American government, particularly the current administration, not only fails to prioritize social justice but seems to ignore it.

So whether its the miserably failed coronavirus response (the US still leads paces the world in COVID-19 cases by 2.2 million) or the blind eye turned to the recent afflictions of African Americans, the failings of the government have forced others--like athletes--to take the leads in advocating for social justice, an end to voter suppression, and encouraging people to wear masks, which has plunged America into an ongoing six-month state of chaos.