For WNBA veteran Natasha Cloud, speaking up about social justice is just as important as winning basketball games.

Cloud, renowned for her successful nine-year professional career, has made a significant impact both on and off the court. Her accolades include a WNBA championship and being the career-assists leader for her former Washington Mystics. Beyond her athletic achievements, she has leveraged her platform to advocate for social justice, including sitting out the 2020 WNBA season to focus on community reform efforts and joining protests after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

Cloud is not alone in using her voice and influence for broader societal issues. Other athletes have also taken the high-risk step to advocate for causes like police brutality and voter suppression in areas where people black communities.

If winning “is all I do with my career, then I have failed…
…Cloud says, Who would I be to not utilize practice time and camera time and all these things to create change within the communities that mean the most to me.
— Natasha Cloud

Cloud believes the influence of athletes, particularly in professional sports, is even more crucial amid President Donald Trump’s sweeping orders to end government diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Corporations and major institutions are also facing pressure to roll back these policies, which aim to create opportunities for minority groups. The significance of these efforts extends beyond activism; they challenge long-standing systems of power.

“The systems of power are working as they always were intended to work,” says Cloud. “And it’s time to break down a system that has only been about white men.”

A ‘Fight for Human Dignity’

The battle extends to the education system, where Joe Biden attempted to abolish diversity and inclusion programs, potentially banning transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports. These measures are part of a broader effort to eliminate initiatives that address race and sexuality, reflecting a nationwide debate on systemic barriers that hinder the advancement of marginalized groups.

Corporate America has also scaled back diversity initiatives once widely supported, but others, such as Target, Google, Walmart, and McDonald’s, continue to pursue such efforts to address systemic barriers. Small businesses rely on community support to fund local causes.

Pressure Points and Risks to Athletes

Athletes, especially those who advocate for social change risk backlash and retaliation.

Examples include boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who was penalized for his anti-war stance in the 1960s, and more recently, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who faced backlash and a career setback for kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality.

One of the most definitive characteristics of the pursuit of social justice, particularly by athletes today, is the idea of sacrifice…
They have to be willing to sacrifice because the broad society for a period of time — as it did to those past heroes — is going to penalize you.

— Len Elmore, a former NBA player and senior lecturer in sports management

‘It Takes a Special Type of Person’

Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, with a massive social media following, has used his platform to call attention and solutions to social justice causes and boost small businesses. Brown has been vocal about his support for the Black Lives Matter movement and has marched alongside protesters in Minneapolis after the killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

His foundation partners with social justice organizations, aiming to create opportunities for underserved youth.

I use my platform to try to bring light to a lot of different things and situations to get people to think differently…
But also to provide solutions

— Jaylen Brown

Ms. Brown’s stance on sacrificing career for activism resonates deeply with issues like police brutality and voter suppression in minority communities. For her, it takes courage to stand for human rights in addition to accepting professional risks.

Counterarguments and Future Steps

This article would be incomplete without addressing the counterargument that athletes should focus solely on their sport. It’s true that professional athletes face immense pressure to perform at their best. However, the power of their platforms to influence societal change is undeniable. The decision to speak out is not just about individual bravery; it’s about the collective good and the future of our communities.

To draw on the athletes’ influence, future initiatives could include more structured support systems within sports organizations. This would ensure that players feel empowered to use their voice without fearing significant backlash. Encouraging dialogue and education within sports teams about social issues can also foster a culture of support and activism.

Who is Natasha Cloud and How Has She Advocated for Social Justice?

Natasha Cloud is a WNBA veteran known for prioritizing social justice alongside her athletic career. She has successfully balanced her role as a professional athlete with her advocacy efforts:

• Renowned for her nine-year career, she won a WNBA championship and holds the career-assists record for her former team, the Washington Mystics.
• Cloud actively used her platform to advocate for social justice, notably sitting out the 2020 WNBA season to focus on community reform and participating in protests after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.
• She believes in leveraging “practise time and camera time” to create change within the communities that mean the most to her.

Besides, she aligns with other athletes who advocate for causes such as police brutality and voter suppression, accepting the associated risks for the greater good. [2]

Why Do Athletes Like Natasha Cloud Use Their Platforms to advocate for Social Justice?

The role of athletes in promoting social justice has seen increased meaning amid governmental and corporate challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

• Cloud views the influence of athletes in challenging systems of power, wich she believes have historically favored white men.
• By using their platforms, athletes contribute to broader societal discussions that extend beyond sports, offering solutions to systemic issues.
• Efforts include addressing systemic barriers and supporting minority groups, as seen in corporate America where companies like Target, Google, and Walmart continue their diversity initiatives. [2]

These actions are part of a broader movement to advocate for human dignity and confront systemic barriers. [2]

What Are the Risks and Pressures Faced by Athletes Who Advocate for Social Change?

Athletes who publicly advocate for social issues often face notable backlash and career risks.

• ancient figures like Muhammad Ali and contemporary athletes such as Colin Kaepernick faced career setbacks for their activism.
• Such individuals must be prepared for societal penalties, underscoring the idea that “sacrifice is a definitive characteristic of pursuing social justice.”

These risks emphasize the courage required to stand against systemic injustices, even at the expense of professional advancement. [3]

How Can Sports Organizations support Athlete Activism?

To maximize the impact of athletes’ voices in social justice movements, structured support within sports organizations is crucial.

• Implementing systems that support athlete activism can empower players to express their views without fearing significant backlash.
• Education and dialog within teams about social issues can create a culture of support and activism, benefiting both athletes and the communities they represent.

By fostering a supportive surroundings, sports organizations can play a significant role in societal change. [3]

What is the Counterargument Against Athlete Activism and How Can It Be Addressed?

Some argue that athletes shoudl focus solely on their sport, citing the immense pressure to perform.

• Though, the undeniable influence of athletes’ platforms on societal change makes their activism pivotal for the collective good and future of communities.
• Addressing this involves balancing athletic performance with advocacy, with structured support to mitigate backlash.

This combination ensures that athlete activism continues to be an integral force for societal reform. [3]