Today the NBA
Gave a lifetime ban
Against a man who's grip on a team
Has tainted it for the past thirty years
And when racist allegations came forth
My heart was sad that I was not surprised
But also because I worried that
The consequences of this man's actions
Would be nothing
Which would be the usual state of affairs
Rich men getting away with awful things
But surprisingly
A lifetime ban was issued
And while the financial penalty may mean nothing for a billionaire
The symbolic action of a lifetime ban
Mean something to me as a fan
Because sports gives fans a fantasy to believe in
A utopia where the winners and losers are distinctly outlined by the scoreboard
Not by the grim realities of oppression
And yes it is a game
And yes it isn't even my team
But this game and this team get to play for something more than a win
And it will not solve everything
But it gives hope
To a once hopeless fan