Larry Wilmore on "empty gesturing" & "performative social justice" of today's sports protests: "Why are people kneeling now?"

[Rembrandt Brown]

Al Roker on Broadcasting From Home and What He Has Learned From Over 40 Years in the Industry

Podcast Episode · Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air · 07/25/2020 · 1h 12m

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Al Roker on Broadcasting From Home and What He Has Learned From Over 40 Years in the Industry - The Ringer

Larry is joined by Al Roker, weather and feature anchor for ‘Today’ and cohost for the third hour of ‘Today,’ to discuss working from home with another TV star in the house (14:19), Roker’s more than…

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6:18, either link.

I agree a lot of it is empty gesturing. It was very often said that Kap's kneeling was about police brutality, not the flag. (It was both IMO.) But a lot of these coordinated acts, are, as Wilmore says at 9:15, "performative social justice." Kneeling before the anthem but then standing for it. He compares it to advertising on NASCAR vehicles, with "Black Lives Matter" on the hardwood and all the phrases on jerseys amounting only to sloganeering.

 

[Simply_Black]

He answered his own question in the podcast....

... if he agreed that Kap kneed in order to raise awareness and bring attention to police brutality and racial injustice then he must seriously know that this cause has to be ever ongoing.

.... people don't just fight for a cause today then decide that the world is completely perfect tomorrow, otherwise our people would have stopped protesting in the 1960's as soon as they got the right to vote.

 

[Rembrandt Brown]

He answered his own question in the podcast....

... if he agreed that Kap kneed in order to raise awareness and bring attention to police brutality and racial injustice then he must seriously know that this cause has to be ever ongoing.

.... people don't just fight for a cause today then decide that that the world is completely perfect tomorrow, otherwise our people would have stopped protesting in the 1960's as soon as they got the right to vote.

Kneeling = fighting for the cause?

I think his questioning of that is the element you're not appreciating. Wilmore isn't saying that continued vigilance is not necessary. He's wondering what good comes from slapping "Black Lives Matter" on a basketball court like putting a pink ribbon on football helmets for breast cancer awareness. It seems to be more about signaling you're a good or caring person than actually doing anything to help people.

It is different when it is ritualized. What we're seeing now is not the same as what Kaepernick was doing.

 

[Simply_Black]

Kneeling = fighting for the cause?

I think his questioning of that is the element you're not appreciating. Wilmore isn't saying that continued vigilance is not necessary. He's wondering what good comes from slapping "Black Lives Matter" on a basketball court like putting a pink ribbon on football helmets for breast cancer awareness. It seems to be more about signaling you're a good or caring person than actually doing anything to help people.

It is different when it is ritualized. What we're seeing now is not the same as what Kaepernick was doing.

Any gesture that helps keeps awareness in the public and as result encourage others to learn about and become part of the cause is always a good thing.

I'm surprise that in 2020 with all the racism and injustice that's greatly occurring there are still black folks questioning such efforts.

 

[Rembrandt Brown]

Any gesture that helps keeps awareness in the public and as result encourage others to learn about and become part of the cause is always a good thing.

I'm surprise that in 2020 with all the racism and injustice that's greatly occurring there are still black folks questioning such efforts.

Effort is the key word.

I don't think this type of ritual really raises awareness. Just like the national anthem is something people have reacted thoughtlessly to for decades, just standing for it because that is what was done, not going out and learning more about the country because of it.

LeBron James isn't wearing a slogan on his jersey. He's instead taking action to actually help people:

 

[Simply_Black]

Effort is the key word.

I don't think this type of ritual really raises awareness. Just like the national anthem is something people have reacted thoughtlessly to for decades, just standing for it because that is what was done, not going out and learning more about the country because of it.

LeBron James isn't wearing a slogan on his jersey. He's instead taking action to actually help people:

Bruh, let's not forget that sports is an international thing and seen all over the world. It's not all about the USA but the much wider audience.

I live in the UK and have heard a few white radio and tv presenters speak on BLM issues in a positive way. Most saying that there is work to do and that they will now try to do what's necessary to help the cause.

That awareness has only come from intense consistency and all the publicity that comes with it, no matter how small.

It's one thing to criticise the little gestures and say that they are meaningless but until you see and understand the impact it makes all around the world especially in areas where people aren't full informed then it's a different story.

We must never forget that this is a worldwide struggle.

 

[zod16]

Bruh, let's not forget that sports is an international thing and seen all over the world. It's not all about the USA but the much wider audience.

I live in the UK and have heard a few white radio and tv presenters speak on BLM issues in a positive way. Most saying that there is work to do and that they will now try to do what's necessary to help the cause.

That awareness has only come from intense consistency and all the publicity that comes with it, no matter how small.

It's one thing to criticise the little gestures and say that they are meaningless but until you see and understand the impact it makes all around the world especially in areas where people aren't full informed then it's a different story.

We must never forget that this is a worldwide struggle.

I watch a lot of Premier League and F1 and never thought in a million years that either would have social justice issues front and center like they are now. Yes, taking a knee now doesn't have the same meaning it would have a year or more back but lots more people are talking about this now and that is a good thing. One thing I have noticed is that people are trying to "gate keep" this shit and I feel like that is dumb as fuck. If someone is open to supporting the movement, let them participate without trying to explain your own bonafides...

 

[Simply_Black]

I watch a lot of Premier League and F1 and never thought in a million years that either would have social justice issues front and center like they are now. Yes, taking a knew now doesn't have the same meaning it would have a year or more back but lots more people are talking about this now and that is a good thing. One thing I have noticed is that people are trying to "gate keep" this shit and I feel like that is dumb ass fuck. Is someone is open to supporting the movement, let them participate without trying to explain your own bonafides...

Good points ^^^

..... and let's not forget that many people also said that these brothers gestures were pointless.

 

[mad_bomber]

I get what Larry was saying. He made made some thought provoking points.

 

[peterlongshort]

This is the same Larry Wilmore that called Obama a nigga at the roast? I’m good on his opinion on anything. Thanks.

 

[b_visionary]

Gotta start somewhere.

 

[ronmch20]

Empty gesturing??? Maybe to someone who doesn't give a fuck. Larry Wilmore needs to shut fuck up if this is his only contribution to social justice movements. On top of that, as a comedian imo he's about as funny as a train wreck.

 

[Rembrandt Brown]

Bruh, let's not forget that sports is an international thing and seen all over the world. It's not all about the USA but the much wider audience.

I live in the UK and have heard a few white radio and tv presenters speak on BLM issues in a positive way. Most saying that there is work to do and that they will now try to do what's necessary to help the cause.

That awareness has only come from intense consistency and all the publicity that comes with it, no matter how small.

That awareness has come from a social movement that players are reacting to along with everyone else, not something they started.

Kaepernick was leading, what we are seeing now is following. Much of it without conviction-- These baseball teams and WNBA teams kneeling before the anthem and then standing for it have co-opted what he started and turned it into a weird "unity" ritual.

That's why I think it is dangerous to praise public displays, "no matter how small." We're talking about people and groups with real resources. A lot of people want to be seen as fighters without actually fighting. They want to virtue signal without doing the work to be virtuous.

 

[Rembrandt Brown]

Gotta start somewhere.

You gotta start somewhere. But somewhere can't be anywhere-- it matters where you start.

 

[Rembrandt Brown]

Wilmore discussed this theme and the opening of the NBA season with Bill Simmons:

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[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

Empty gesturing??? Maybe to someone who doesn't give a fuck. Larry Wilmore needs to shut fuck up if this is his only contribution to social justice movements. On top of that, as a comedian imo he's about as funny as a train wreck.

It’s amazing to watch someone speak so proudly on things they know nothing about.

IMDB. I’m old enough to remember when punks didn’t jump up because they feared getting beaten down. Now they just fritter away without a care in a world.

Larry Wilmore wrote the greatest shittings on to a president in his face.

 

[durham]

This is the same Larry Wilmore that called Obama a nigga at the roast? I’m good on his opinion on anything. Thanks.

Gotta agree with you, on this. Why throw shade at people just trying to support. Small gestures do mean something. Damn hater shit from Wilmore.