WNBA Players Skipping Season to Fight For Racial Justice
"Now Is the Time": These WNBA Players Are Opting Out of a Season to Fight For Racial Justice
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After much thought, I’ve decided to opt out of the 2020 WNBA season. There’s work to be done off the court in so many areas in our community. Social justice reform isn’t going to happen overnight but I do feel that now is the time and Moments equal Momentum. Lets keep it going!
— Renee Montgomery (@itsreneem_) June 18, 2020
"There's work to be done off the court," Montgomery wrote on Twitter on June 18 in announcing her decision to skip the season. The 11-year WNBA veteran told USA Today that her choice was cemented when she watched the video of George Floyd's death in police custody. "I think it happened to everyone who watched the video. We all saw that video of a man just begging and pleading," she said. "It's heartbreaking. I don't know how else to describe it. I think about my family, and other young minorities, and I'm like 'We can't allow this to continue. We got to do something.'"
In her statement, Montgomery acknowledged the long road ahead, but that the work must be done, especially now. "Social justice reform isn't going to happen overnight but I do feel that now is the time and Moments equal Momentum. Let's keep it going!"