In the UK, Black Lives Matter has been widely supported – including by the sports world. But then Black Lives Matter UK (BLM UK) issued a barrage of tweets over Israel’s proposed annexation of the West Bank.
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Sky Sports: Wearing the Badge Is An Individual Choice
After the tweets were posted, The UK’s Premier League said it recognized the importance of the message that black lives matter, but made clear that it:
does not endorse any political organization or movement, nor support any group that calls for violence or condones illegal activity… and is aware of the risk posed by groups that seek to hijack popular causes to promote their own political views.
Since the Premier League resumed play on June 17 following a Covid-19 break, all 20 clubs had agreed to emblazon ‘Black Lives Matter’ on their shirts for the first round of games. In an unprecedented move, players from all 20 clubs united in solidarity with this message and the Premier League supported their request to replace their names on the back of playing shirts with ‘Black Lives Matter’.
Then, Sky Sports presenters began to wear the badges. Sky Sports also started to display the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter before ad breaks for its football coverage. Following the anti-Israel tweets posted by Black Lives Matter UK, Sky Sports maintained that the issue of wearing the BLM badge was a matter of individual choice. However, a couple of on air Sky Sports personalities have asserted that the only reason they wore the badges was because they were asked to do so by the channel.
BBC: “We Cannot Be Seen To Support Any Kind of Cause Over Another.”
Meanwhile, the BBC acted swiftly by banning its pundits and hosts from wearing Black Lives Matter badges. This decision was made after Sky Sports presenters had continued to wear the badges despite the release of the antisemitic tweets. A BBC source told the Daily Telegraph: “The BBC cannot be seen to support any kind of cause over another. Therefore we wouldn’t want anyone on-screen to be wearing visual symbols of support.”
It’s Not About Israel: How Racial Justice Can Be Hijacked
The goal of the Black Lives Matter movement couldn’t be more noble: to eradicate racism, and combat senseless violence that’s inflicted by law enforcement. By doing so, the lives of black people in the United States and around the world will dramatically improve.
At its best, Black Lives Matter is planting the seeds of a better future. Unfortunately, a small, self-serving subset of activists with antisemitic or anti-Israel agendas have hijacked the memory of George Floyd. These radical elements are attempting to warp the cause of racial justice to promote hatred and violence.
As the struggle for racial justice and equality around the world unfolds, people will undoubtedly be getting their information on the latest developments from the media. As such, the BBC should be commended for taking these steps. The network’s message to its millions of viewers worldwide is clear: the BBC will not allow its airwaves to be used as a medium to communicate misinformation, cynicism, and hate.
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