My Monthly Sports Minute: Sports and Social Justice
My Monthly Sports Minute: Sports and Social Justice
"Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible—even if you're choking on it—until you let the sun in. Then you see it's everywhere. As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it wherever it lands. But we have to stay vigilant, because it's always still in the air." - Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Other conscious athletes like LeBron James will not just "shut up and dribble." They're fighting to "free" Black Americans like Frederick Douglass or Harriet Tubman or Moses. Their unchosen identity and oppression as Black men seems to supersede their chosen identity and adoration as athletes.
Jaylen Brown, another NBA player, said, "sports is a mechanism of control. If people didn’t have sports they would be a lot more disappointed with their role in society." Brown also said, "we’re having some of the same problems we had 50 years ago...It takes protests like [Colin] Kaepernick’s to make people uncomfortable and aware of these hidden injustices [against Black people]."
"Sports is where some people like to go to escape from society, and we cannot allow people to escape from these [racial] issues [that gravely affect Black people]. We've done that for generations and generations, and we won't allow it anymore," Malcolm Jenkins, a pro football player, said.
Even Michael Jordan spoke up and spoke out. “I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward [Black people] ... in our country. We have had enough."
I never experienced the life of a true student-athlete or a pro athlete. Besides periodic bowling, pickup basketball and intramural softball, I stopped playing sports regularly after middle school. BUT, I've been a Black man in America for over thirty years. I have that in common with EVERY Black athlete and we are using our voices to take a stand!
#BlackLivesMatter #SayTheirNames #WeGotUs
SPEAK UP and SPEAK OUT against violence towards Black people, lead with empathy, follow up with advocacy, and finish with recommended adjustments (e.g., concerning our safety and empowerment). Denounce ALL forms of racism and use anti-racist practices.
"The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)
"What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?" - Romans 8:31 (AMP)
"The Lord says this to you: ‘Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s." - 2 Chronicles 20:15 (AMP)
- Leroy Long III, PhD
For more info. about what it means to be a Black male in America visit:
https://www.theroot.com/new-research-proves-that-all-things-being-equal-nothing-1823892660
For more info. about anti-racist practices visit: https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/being-antiracist
For more info. about me and my work related to equity and sports checkout: leroylongiii.com, leroylongiii.com/ease
You can also follow me on social media:
Twitter, IG: @drleroylongiii
