'Change Has No Offseason': Sparks expand outreach to voting, immigration reform
The Los Angeles Sparks are getting involved year-round with a new initiative focused on social justice, including efforts to promote voting and support immigration reform.
The “Change Has No Offseason” community outreach program references the fact that the team and players’ work doesn’t end when the games do — just like in basketball.
“We’re trying to think about the mindset of the athletes and what we actually represent,” Sparks president and COO Danita Johnson said, via the Orange County Register. “How, in order for us to create changes in our game on the court, we’ve gotta work hard every day, and in order for us to make change to society, we have to work hard every single day.”
It will cover the work they already do, and what they are adding to their plans.
Sparks more involved in new initiative
Johnson said players have been more involved in this initiative. Players in all major sports leagues have been out protesting and working toward change after the death of George Floyd in Minnesota in May.
Two-time league MVP Candace Parker told the Register the players were focused on an “action point” and what they could do, rather than simply say.
“I think it’s really important for us, being part of the WNBA, which is one of the longest-(running) women’s sports leagues that’s ever been in America … to really promote change and to let people know that we hear them and we’re with ’em.”
It will revolve on five main pillars: Heath and Wellness, Women and Girls Empowerment, Social Justice, Youth Sports, and Military and Veteran Affairs. Each has separate imperatives inside of it, with voting education and immigration reform new forefront focuses.
Sparks’ focus: voting, education, immigration reform
The movement will focus on a few different aspects, including the importance of voting. The Sparks plan to promote voter registration and educate on the ways citizens are disenfranchised. Nneka Ogwumike is involved in a similar idea with LeBron James’s group, “More Than a Vote.”
It is not, Johnson stressed to the Register, a partisan effort.
“It’s about creating space for people to be educated in something that maybe they’re not as educated on or want to learn more on,” she said.
The home page of the program on the Sparks website features clips from players’ appearances on shows to speak about social justice issues. There are also links to podcasts featuring players, stories on their work and petitions the organization supports.
The Sparks hosted a Juneteenth event and “The Authenticity Panel” this past Monday that includes links to causes. They do an annual “Hats Off!” program for high school women’s basketball seniors that went virtual this year due to the pandemic.
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