The Golden State Warriors’ White House Boycott Is Officially LIT!

White House Boycott Lights Up Twitter

The Golden State Warriors’ White House boycott proves they need to try this more often. After winning the 2017 Finals, the team announced they’d skip their visit to the White House. Presumably, they have other shit to do, so they remain unbothered.

White House Boycott History

Credit: Optimumscouting.com

Though some fans resist “woke” athletes, fame and influence now depend on awareness too. Before this, the team dodged social issues because it made business sense. Backlash often follows athletes who tout a cause outside of sports. In fact, White House boycotts shine a spotlight on famous rebels. In 1992, NBA owners blacklisted Craig Hodges for protesting George Bush’s White House in a dashiki. And today, NFL GMs have closed the door on Colin Kaepernick for his stance.

But these owners miss an important point about the modern athlete. Calls for silence can’t stifle a good conscience. Social media creates a loud din few can hover above. For the first time, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and their other big-name stars chose a racy public position. Rather than hide behind sponsor deals, the NBA’s best waved a closed fist at the status quo.

As White House boycott haters question the team’s heart, their place in history becomes more obvious. Unless fans can accept that aware, vocal athletes are a part of the game, they’ll also miss the great personalities and voices players bring with them. Most importantly, NBA players speak to youth concerns, because, duh, they’re also young. If sports franchises want to stay relevant, more athletes need the support to share what they believe. Based on the stories NBA heroes have told in the past, the world rejoices at the weird perspectives these pros reveal. While athletes refine their opinions to suit the day, their fans will soon marvel at more than their incredible feats. They’ll love their fave’s integrity too.