Borussia Dortmund players have joined the global "Justice for George Floyd" protests, displaying the message time after time during their 6-1 win against Paderborn.
Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi joined other Bundesliga players Weston McKennie and Marcus Thuram, who also paid their tribute.
While McKennie’s action might be considered more understandable due to his nationality, widespread actions can be an example for a change. Even the act by Achraf Hakimi, a Moroccan player, is not something that would be expected compared to the past.
When Colin Kaepernick took a knee for the first time in 2016, the reaction was strong, and many athletes were afraid to join him. He became an unwanted player in the NFL, and therefore players rarely acted in support of him in order to avoid severe consequences. Moreover, his protest didn't get any reaction abroad, making it a domestic problem, related only to the USA.
Nowadays, players around the world are joining the call for justice. In the last Bundesliga matchday, four players from four different countries expressed their opinion about that issue. They knew that the German FA might punish them, and still felt that they must do it. "I felt like it was my responsibility and my duty," said Weston McKennie about his decision to wear a black armband with the words "Justice for George."
It's a sign of change. The fight against racism is no longer based in the USA, but it is widespread around the globe. Whether you are coming from England, France, or the USA, racism based on color feels the same everywhere. It makes the protest bigger, louder, and stronger, without any fear from people that will make it illegitimate.
Hakimi's message shows another aspect. As a person who was born in Spain and grew up in a family that was a minority, it is understandable why he would relate to such a cause. It gives the protest a greater context, as it is not limited only to black people. The message of being against racism could be relevant to every person that faces inequality, with no importance to his background.
Perhaps Hakimi would not lead more players to join, but he can be part of a movement of players and teams that would not be afraid to express their opinions publicly. In the past, it was impossible to do such acts without thinking about what could happen later. Maybe it will be the first step that will make teams understand again the importance of being active and influence the world.
Thumbnail photo by Borussia Dortmund official Twitter account
