“The beautiful thing about being a part of the WNBA is I have sisters from every different color that continuously hold me up when I need it.”. It … Whether you signed up for it or not, you as a professional athlete inherit that responsibility of being a role model,” Tasha says. Natasha Cloud (center) is like Alysha Clark in that she is a vocal leader and a huge X factor. Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, Pilot in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash pushed the limits and disregarded training, NTSB says, 'At least one day a week': White House clarifies Biden's goal to reopen schools. WNBA star Natasha Cloud talks about foregoing season to fight for social justice. Delaware County's Natasha Cloud will sit out the upcoming WNBA season to fight for social justice. It’s our responsibility to do what we can to better this country and that starts with voting and making sure we have the right leadership to lead us that way.”. She is an advocate for the underrepresented communities she represents. By opting out, I would be able to be 100 percent committed to it and not doing the one foot in, one foot out thing.”. “That’s huge. Cloud’s essay quickly went viral as Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality and institutionalized racism took to the streets in all 50 states. “You inherit that responsibility of being a voice; and so I’ve always had a mindset of not wanting to be under a microscope as a basketball player, I want it to be a microphone. As the game clock dwindled on October 10, 2019, Natasha Cloud and the Washington Mystics achieved what they had fought for all season long: their first-ever WNBA championship. Facebook. “It’s to tell them that neutrality about black lives might as well be murder. WhatsApp. His manager actually heard him say it to me and saw my face and was like, I’m so sorry. That’s about as far from “Republicans buy sneakers too” as you can get. Understanding that this was the time to do so. A year filled with blood, sweat and tears resulted in what every young hooper dreams of. We saw one viral disease spread across our society, and another disease—one Tasha has known to be alive and well for as long as she can remember—be exposed: racism. Natasha Cloud says her 2020 WNBA season was draining, without playing in a single game. “The current climate of our country is extremely saddening, but I’ve seen periodic times of its beauty. “It’s really hard to think about basketball at this point, and regardless of my status as a WNBA champion, when I take that uniform off, this is my reality every single day.”. But as Cloud’s essay and her endorsement deal indicate, her real work has now just begun. To create a world where future generations don’t have to fear walking outside of their homes simply because of the color of their skin. In 1963, hundreds of thousands of Black Americans marched in Washington, DC, with one of the country’s Freedom Riders John R. Lewis’ words ringing in the background: “Get in and stay in the streets of every city, every village and hamlet of this nation until true freedom comes, until the revolution of 1776 is complete.” Today, the same holds true for one of the biggest activists in the WNBA, Natasha Cloud. It is standing behind that three weeks later with a pay day. 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And still, players have chosen to forgo entire seasons to fight for social change -- as the Mystics' Natasha Cloud did this season. What I mean is, when I went to a march in Philly and another in DC with the Wizards, you see people standing up. She told her what was happening, and Sharon instinctively asked to stay on the line. In June, Tasha led the march in the nation’s capital along with the Washington Wizards. As the game clock dwindled on October 10, 2019, Natasha Cloud and the Washington Mystics achieved what they had fought for all season long: their first-ever WNBA championship. “Vote like your life depends on it,” Natasha Cloud said during a call in early October about her social justice activism. When it came down to whether or not she would play in the 2020 season, there was a lot on her mind beyond the game. Converse General Manager of Global Basketball Ronald Johnson emphasized his company’s bond with Cloud and the social justice causes she represents when he told Outsports, “Natasha’s love for basketball is equaled by her personal vision off the court. Natasha Cloud. Most famously, Michael Jordan once told his teammates “Republicans buy sneakers too” and an entire section of The Last Dance was devoted to whether he was joking. We’re underappreciated,” Tasha says. As its announcement made clear, Converse chose to stand behind her. In the months leading up to the 2020 season, where the reigning champs are meant to defend their title, the world changed. Connect with friends faster than ever with the new Facebook app. To emphasize that commitment to amplification, Converse linked to Cloud’s Players’ Tribune essay from its Instagram account. The 2019 champion guard with the Washington Mystics opted out of the season to devote her full energies to social justice initiatives in the aftermath of the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. For Tasha, that reality revealed itself yet again recently. When Converse announced it had signed its first women’s basketball player, Natasha Cloud, to a shoe deal the company praised her social justice activism. For Tasha, it’s what drove her to a greater purpose when making a decision about the 2020 season. I do take that responsibility in understanding that I have a platform and want to use this game in every way I can to give back to my community,” she elaborates. Cloud started for the 2019 WNBA championship-winning Mystics but opted out of the 2020 season to fight for social justice. The two go hand-in-hand as they are core to who she is and were a key focus for entering into the partnership. … You see our white counterparts stepping up and using their white privilege, understanding they have it and that they’re doing a disservice to the Black community if they don’t use it in order to enact change. Contrast that with news that broke on Monday that Washington Mystics guard Natasha Cloud became the first female basketball player to sign a shoe deal with Converse since the relaunch of its Hoops brand. The minute she stepped in, before having even spoken to anyone about what she was looking to buy, the salesman directed her to the pre-owned section. When she walked away from the court that night, she had no idea what was to come. In July 2019, she got engaged to the Chicago Bandits’ Aleshia Ocasio. I’m a professional basketball athlete. Cloud, who opted out of the current WNBA season to focus her time and energy on social justice reform, immediately got to work. Natasha Cloud’s Social Justice Initiatives Having always been an outspoken player – speaking most notably previously out about gun violence – Cloud, among others, took a stand this season. In 1963, hundreds of thousands of Black Americans marched in Washington, DC, with … Excited to celebrate her triumphs, she made her way to a local BMW dealership in her hometown of Philadelphia. https://t.co/wmFfUShLw3. “We have the ability to be the voice for the voiceless. “It’s been really tough. Cloud announced her decision on Instagram on Monday, saying she’s going to sit out to focus on raising awareness of social justice issues and racial equality in … Camille Buxeda is a Senior Content Producer at SLAM. “The next generation of kids are going to be the ones that really change things. That should give an indication of how much times have changed both on and off the court. While her endorsement deal with Converse was already done and its announcement was put on hold as the company acknowledged the infinitely more important events taking place all around the country, the sneaker giant still took notice of her very public contribution to the current wave of activism. WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 19: Natasha Cloud speaks at a press conference to raise awareness for social ...[+] justice issues on June 19, 2020 in … Cloud … The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.” They are as true today as they were then. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBLM2CxFVSu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading. Washington Mystics player Natasha Cloud opted out of this season to focus on mobilizing for racial justice. Cloud, 28, said she wants to focus on social justice issues, much like Atlanta guard Renee Montgomery said last week when she announced that she would not play in 2020. Reigning WNBA champion Washington Mystics guard Natasha Cloud announced via Instagram this week that she would forego playing the 2020 season to … After a grueling five-game series, Tasha stood atop the media table on the court reciting the verses to “Dreams & Nightmares,” the ultimate championship song for a kid from Philly. You know what? By. Copyright 2021 SLAM Media Inc. SLAM®, SLAMTV®, SLAM MEDIA® and the SLAM® logo are registered trademarks of Slam Media Inc. All rights reserved. Because it’s exactly what we needed to hear. Fuck you, take me to the new section. On May 25, the world watched as those sworn to protect murdered George Floyd. Even through all of her accomplishments on and off the court, Tasha faces one of the toughest plights in being a Black woman in America. While Natasha Cloud has announced her support for Joe Biden, she also has articulated the importance of state and local races, especially when it comes to achieving justice … The organization backed her as she made a concerted effort to direct attention to the gun violence surrounding youth in the DC community, and she has continually used her platform to call for social change on pressing matters. Since then, it’s been nearly impossible for Cloud to direct her attention to anything else. For Cloud, trying to reform a system that has never been fair to Black Americans has been … In the end, she chose to dedicate herself fully to social justice reform, opting out of the season. I’m going to leave and go to a different dealership because I don’t want my money being spent here.’”. Natasha Cloud says she will skip the 2020 WNBA season to focus on social reform. The company released a statement to the media to accompany its announcement and emphasized that Cloud’s voice calling for social change was something the company supported: “Cloud is known for extending her influence through leadership efforts that place emphasis on being a voice for the voiceless, specifically using her platform to speak out against the racial injustices that are killing Black people in America, while also advocating for equality for women and the LGBTQ+ community and working to guide youth in her communities... “We look forward to amplifying her voice for the causes she believes in and will keep you updated on our community efforts following our recent commitment.”. Pinterest. When thinking of Tasha’s march toward a more equal world for Black Americans, H.E.R.’s eloquent lyrics come to mind: “Generations and generations of pain, fear and anxiety; Equality is walking without intuition.” That’s exactly what Tasha is, and has been, fighting for. While numerous corporations are jumping on the social justice bandwagon, it’s important to note that a player with Natasha Cloud’s commitment to speaking up for change should help ensure that this is not just another brand adding a black square to its Insta feed and calling it a day. Earlier this month, the 2019 champion had just signed a huge deal with Converse and was looking to make a new purchase. Their decisions leave the Mystics, who added former MVP Tina Charles in … The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. Jasyson - August 26, 2020. Through the highs and lows of what the late Rep. John Lewis called the “struggle of a lifetime,” Tasha has stayed true to who she is. Natasha Cloud discussed her decision to sit out the WNBA season to focus on social justice. While taking a stand in support of Black Lives Matter, Cloud lands a supportive endorsement deal with Converse. Natasha Cloud Talks Fighting for Social Justice & Using Her Platform. For eight minutes and 46 seconds, America got a glimpse of what it’s like to be Black in this country. ... Natasha Cloud. Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. There’s no bias.”. “I need to be a champion of social reform, and that’s what led to my decision, wanting better for not only myself, my fiancé and my future children, but also for our community in general. For the better part of her WNBA career, Natasha Cloud has been among the most passionate advocates for social justice in professional sports. And later that October, she helped lead the Mystics to their first-ever WNBA championship. Natasha Cloud Talks Fighting for Social Justice & Using Her Platform. One thing many can agree upon is that this time things are different, and professional athletes across the globe are making their voices heard like never before. “I’m going to embrace being proud to be Black, to be a woman, to be bisexual. 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