WNBA teams, Washington Mystics and the Los Angeles Sparks, united for Charlottesville by linking arms during the national anthem.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a time when coming together is necessary, two WNBA teams exemplified the true meaning of unity. As majority of Capital One Arena stood for the singing of the national anthem, both Washington Mystics and the LA Sparks took center court linking arms in moment of silence in the wake of Charlottesville.
Mystics guard, former Sparks player and 2016 WNBA champion, Kristi Toliver wrote a statement in respect of both teams.
“It is not a surprise that racism and bigotry exist in this country, but it is not something we stand for in any way,” Toliver said. “We feel great shock, sickness, and sadness with the degree of acceptance and normalization of this hatred, culminating in ways in the events in Charlottesville this past weekend.
On behalf of both the Mystics and Sparks players, we feel pain and disbelief following the blatant hate displayed, and the President’s response to it. There is no way to innocently protest alongside a hate-based group and to take pause on condemning the acts that took place is inexcusable.”
The WNBA should be proud of the stances they’ve taken in a world circling opposition and continue being the leading example for others as well as the NBA. WNBA President Lisa Borders expressed her support for the Mystics and the Sparks.
“We fully support our players, who are offering a demonstration of unity that we hope America can emulate in the wake of the tragic events in Charlottesville, said Borders. “We offer our sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones and our support to those who were injured during the inexcusable violence that transpired.”
Watching the Mystics in pink (Breast Health Awareness Initiative) and the Sparks in yellow stand together in two different uniforms shows that although on two different teams in two different areas uniting for a cause only takes one step. Though the world comes in all sorts and types, together as one anything is possible.
