My Monthly Sports Minute: How Athletes Can Contribute to Social Justice Reform
In 2020, we are still battling inequality and racism in the United States. You would think, by now, all men and women would be equal and justice would be served in the court of law. This country’s racial injustices date back to slavery, which was apart of the nation’s foundation. So, how can there truly be nationwide equality, if this country was founded on the dehumanization of Black and Brown people?
We are still fighting in a war. A war that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malchom X and countless other people began fighting in years ago. During the civil rights movement and other social justice movements, reformers fought to end racial discrimination. They also fought to gain equal rights for Black people.
With social media, more police brutality incidents and killings of Black men and women have been widely seen. Social media is helping to bring these heinous crimes to light. The Black Lives Matter movement has relied on protest to seek justice for alleged incidents of police brutality and murder.
Some have questioned the efforts and voices of celebrities or athletes — while wondering how their voices or platforms could help the cause.
In 1968, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists at the Olympics — during the national anthem — as a silent but symbolic salute for human rights. In 2016, Colin Kaepernick knelt at football games — during the national anthem — to protest police brutality and social injustice. After opting out of his 49ers contract in 2016 and being unable to find employment with another NFL team, Kaepernick accused the NFL of colluding to keep him out of the league. Many athletes, fans, and analysts believe Kaepernick has been blackballed by the NFL for his on-field protests that were viewed as “political” rather than support for human rights. Four years later, ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests have erupted, nationwide, following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Some NFL executives and analysts now believe Kaepernick may finally receive an offer to play for another team.
Kaepernick, Smith, and Carlos all put their careers on the line to stand up for what they believed in and to bring awareness to social justice reform. Numerous athletes have also started businesses and organizations to contribute to social justice reform.
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