As pro sports return across the country, professional athletes' platforms to bring attention to social issues are returning, as well.
Already, before Major League Baseball's regular season has started, there have been managers and players taking a cue from Colin Kaepernick and taking a knee during the national anthem before exhibition games. The league is going to allow players to show their support for social issues on their uniforms, and baseball players are expected to use their platforms as famous athletes beamed into fans' homes on a daily basis to show their support for organizations advocating for an end to institutional racism and police brutality against Black people.
Lucas Giolito will be one of those players when he starts the White Sox season-opener against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night on the South Side. And he let it be known he won't be the only one.
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"We've had team discussions about that," he said Thursday. "The way we see it is we are all a family here, White Sox, top to bottom. Obviously, there are differing viewpoints, which is OK. That's America. It's OK to have those.
"All the discussions we have had have been very civil. We're able to express our opinions freely, and that's just the perfect kind of environment as far as an organization I want to be in.
"You can expect tomorrow for players to express themselves supporting organizations, issues, continuing to raise that awareness around the country."
Giolito is no stranger to supporting and advocating for these kinds of issues. After the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, he shared a message on social media as widespread protests took place across the country.
.@ColorOfChange #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/CgMfsjoCOi
— Lucas Giolito (@LGio27) May 31, 2020
And he's been part of some positive actions in the community, too. Upon returning to Chicago from his home in California at the start of "Summer Camp," he joined a group that looked to create better access to fresh food on the West Side.
This is what change looks like. Just got together pro athletes from the @ChicagoBears @chicagobulls @whitesox @NHLBlackhawks @packers @Panthers and @Saints. We invited @nflcommish and @chicagosmayor. We listened to kids and learned about their dream for a better Chicago. pic.twitter.com/sQpnmnPiMj
— Sam Acho (@TheSamAcho) July 7, 2020
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Giolito offered his support Thursday for Black Lives Matter, the visible movement that, according to its website, has a mission "to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes."
"I'm completely on board with the Black Lives Matter movement. Don't see it as a political issue. It's a humanity issue," Giolito said. "It's important for us as athletes to be able to use our platforms to use our voice and express how we feel about these things. That's part of being American."
Giolito is certainly not alone among major league players in his advocacy, and entire organizations have taken stands to support members of their communities, as well. The Los Angeles Dodgers shared this message from their players:
In this together. pic.twitter.com/pNizLNdHOG
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 16, 2020
Members of the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals sported Black Lives Matter T-shirts during batting practice ahead of the regular season's first game Thursday night in the nation's capital.
Playing for more than ourselves.#BlackLivesMatter // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/su8AxUxTSt
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 23, 2020
Showtime. #OpeningDay #NYYforNY @Giancarlo818 @TheJudge44 pic.twitter.com/pkQPmWWKJr
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 23, 2020
RELATED: White Sox executive Ken Williams opens up about personal history facing racism
As for the White Sox, the team announced Thursday that it will share visuals to support the fight against racial injustice, violence and inequality during the season-opener Friday.
A few members of the organization have addressed these issues head on in recent months. Executive vice president Ken Williams gave a lengthy, emotional interview about his experiences with racism. And shortstop Tim Anderson, whose long advocated for a game that better appeals to Black fans, offered his thoughts as protests were happening in Chicago and across the country.
It's unknown whether the White Sox or certain White Sox players will take action such as members of the San Francisco Giants did earlier this week, when they knelt during the national anthem before an exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics. But White Sox manager Rick Renteria made it known Tuesday that he supports his players in any actions they take to support social causes and raise awareness of issues affecting Black communities.
"I'll just simply say that I'll stand by whatever my players decide they want to do. I'll respect it," Renteria said. "And I think it's about time that we start talking about getting together, coming together. Anything we can do that is not divisive is probably a helpful thing. Some people may take whatever actions people take as a divisive action, but I don't see it that way."
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Lucas Giolito: 'I'm completely on board with the Black Lives Matter movement' originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
