When Social Justice and Sports Wed
In today’s current events, politics and sports are often intermingled; both politics and sports have strong effects on our lives. We are just as likely to have our mood and conversation center around a high profile game, as we are to have it shaped by political events; they are both an important part of our culture. However, when sports and politics deliberately join hands, will it be easier to get involved within the cause while losing sight of the game, or should we dismiss the ‘antics’ and focus on the scored field goals and baskets in which bonds us together?
Colin Kaepernick, once quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, began his joint protest of fighting for people of color who are oppressed in today’s modern society, and to attack police brutality, the demand for justice has made, what seems to be, a permanent tie within our sports world. Across our sports realm, the apparent injustices around America are recalled within many award shows and on the chests of our idolized athletes, including LeBron James and Kyrie Irving sporting their “I Can’t Breathe” shirts, proving something needs to be done.
Before there was a protest, be mindful to reflect on the number each pro-athlete wears across their hearts, and the talents they convey. Colin Kaepernick leads his team to the super bowl after an injured Alex Smith, and becomes not only a starter, but also dubbed “one of the greatest quarterbacks ever” by ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski. LeBron James, small forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averages 27 points per game, denoted as ‘King’, makes natural appearances within all-star and playoff games. Both are outstanding athletes and their involvement within the daily struggles ignored by those in D.C, paid to make all the difference, should not determine their worth nor the reason why either should face losing their career.
Since Kaepernick’s protests, most NFL players began kneeling with him to take a stand against injustices within the government against pigmented minorities. Kaepernick has become a philanthropist, while being excommunicated by our National Football League, donating millions of dollars to people and places fighting for social justice and, he is not alone. People around America have taken a stance by boycotting the watching of football and the purchasing of NFL merchandise. Athletes in other sports began kneeling during the pledge, producing a tribute towards Kaepernick and his movement. Amidst the protests, it has been required that each police officer wear a body camera, in attempts to protect people from wrongful deaths in the United States.
The work is far from being finished, however. Attacked by those like President Trump, who, when it comes to understanding the means of protesting, would rather appear oblivious to the act of oppressing people because of the color of their skin. We are in a tug-of-war of “doing the right thing.”
What exactly is to come from the matrimony of social justice and sports? How long should America’s power forwards display the need for justice on their backs seeking results of our State’s justices to put power toward those discriminated against?
