Pro Athletes Need to Protest

There is a high chance you have read or heard about the recent events that displayed the racial injustice and police brutality predominantly black communities have been facing throughout the United States. Names such as Breonna Taylor and George Floyd have headlined news sources resulting in social protests and the want for social change. A country that supposedly promotes freedom and equal opportunities still continues to single out and target those of color. A perception that those who are part of black communities are threats is unjust and flat out unacceptable. Hundreds of years of protest and fighting for social equality and yet social inequality is real, police brutality is real, and change has to happen. Professional and college sports and athletes should take part in protesting against racial inequality and police brutality, using their large followings to spread awareness and create change.

Recent acts of racial inequality and police brutality in the United States has brought on widespread protest and the demand for change. George Floyd one of the names that had headlined news sources for past months was someone who had died to police brutality. George Floyd’s death resulted in shock and outrage as many found it unfathomable that someone could be so careless of another’s life. Had it been a white male and the results would have been different, is an idea that is not very hard to believe. “Black people are 3.5 times more likely than white people to be killed by police when Blacks are not attacking or do not have a weapon… Black teenagers are 21 times more likely than white teenagers to be killed by police… A Black person is killed about every 40 hours in the United States” (Ray). Another event exemplifying the social injustice black people face is the shooting of Jacob Blake. Jacob Blake was the most recent event involving the police shooting a disarmed black man as “a policer officer in Kenosha, Wisc., shooting Jacob Blake, a Black man, in the back multiple times as he entered his vehicle and his children watched from inside the vehicle” (Ray). While Jacob Blake was not killed, he is reportedly paralyzed from the waist down. As stories unfolded some said that he resisted arrest and had fought the officers while Jacob Blake’s lawyer denied these actions. Whatever the actual story might be there is no necessity for a person to be shot 7 times in their back when cops are trained to shoot in certain areas that would not kill the person. In George Floyd’s case he had already been handcuffed and there were 3 police at the scene why would pinning him down and putting all your weight on his neck while he pleads that he can’t breathe be a necessary action. The perception that the black community is a threat results in the police acting with an increase of hostility and violence when in most cases the police are the ones who are in the wrong and are the threat. Protests and marches have been seen happening across the United States. Defunding the police or a restructure of law enforcement agencies are the goals that the public hope to attain. Many people feel that targeting the root of the problem, that being law enforcement agencies rather than the police officers themselves, would prove to be more effective. Whatever the method is, change must happen, what occurs throughout the country is unacceptable, unjust, and results in the lives of innocent people.

Professional sport organizations and athletes have joined in protesting against racial inequality and police brutality. Though this is not the first-time seeing athletes protesting and taking a stand, it is very important that athletes express their opinions and influence those who follow and listen to them. Back in 1968, two black Olympic sprinters named Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists as a symbol of black power and the human rights movement. More recent in history, professional basketball player Lebron James and his teammates from the Miami Heat posted a picture on twitter in response to the shooting of Trayvon Martin. Trayvon Martin was a 17-year-old who was shot and killed on his way back to his father’s fiancés’ home in Sanford, Florida. Trayvon was shot and killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer named George Zimmerman. Zimmerman contacted 911 when he saw Trayvon Martin and stated ““This guy looks like he’s up to no good, or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining, and he’s just walking around”” (Botelho). Just looking at Zimmerman’s reason for concern invokes anger how can one tell someone is up to “no good” just based off them walking? Due to Trayvon Martin’s death, a picture was tweeted by Lebron James accompanied by his teammates wearing hoodies with their heads bowed. James used the hashtag “WeWantJustice” and had caught the attention of millions of people throughout the country. Lebron James brought attention to the country that the life of a black teenage boy was taken for no reason other than the fact of his skin color.  Lebron’s tweet was an act of protest and enforcing the idea that justice must be brought for the death of this innocent teenager. His use of his large following allowed for him to spread his opinion to millions of people. As someone who looks up to Lebron James, I and many others, take his opinions to understanding and at times am influenced by them. The fact that a star athlete and celebrity of that caliber are displaying their opinion on this matter increases the sense of importance of the matter to the rest of the public. Similarly, to Lebron James former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has voiced his opinions on racial inequality and police brutality that occur throughout the United States. Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the presenting of the national anthem which is done prior to each NFL game. This was perceived as very disrespectful to the country, the flag, and those who risk their lives to protect the country. Yet there is a bigger picture to it, Kaepernick kneeled because he did not want to show support to a country that supports racial inequality and the oppression of a race. Kaepernick stated “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” (Wyche). Kaepernick risked his career to stand up for a matter that he found to be immensely important. Kaepernick’s actions influenced many of his followers to also stand against the racial inequality that is seen throughout the country. Not only had Kaepernick’s actions influence the public but he impacted other athletes to go out and protest. Even student athletes have been encouraged to participate as well. “Recently, NCAA leadership development launched A4, a four-part virtual program to educate student-athletes on the power they have and how they can use it to effectively enact meaningful change. More than 200 joined the first week’s session” (McGuire). Athletes need to protest and impact change because of their social status and the amount of people they influence. By showing their care for a certain matter the athlete becomes more relatable to us in which results in more people joining the cause and impacting change.

On the other hand, athletes and sport organizations should stay away from trying to impact change and protests and should focus on their sport. Athletes earn millions of dollars a year and are far more privileged compared to the average person. How could athletes influence the public when we can’t relate to them. Past being relatable these athletes aren’t affected by some of the problems that the average person is affected by. When Lebron James was talking about the U.S. president stating, “The No. 1 job in America, the appointed person is someone who doesn’t understand the people,”(Sullivan). In response journalist Laura Ingraham stated “”It’s always unwise to seek political advice from someone who gets paid $100 million a year to bounce a ball,” she said. “Keep the political comments to yourselves. … Shut up and dribble”(Sullivan). Despite the backlash she had received for her statement, the statement holds much truth. Why would an athlete who is receiving a $100 million dollars a year know what kind of president is right for the country? Politics are one thing and playing a sport is another, you don’t see Donald Trump go out and say Lebron James isn’t good at playing basketball. Furthermore, not all athletes are good role models. Why would we look up to people who don’t promote positive ideas to those who look up to them? For example, NBA player Malik Beasley was arrested for drug and weapon possession on September 27^th. Not all athletes can be role models who impact change because of choices they make. Looking up to someone who headlines for being arrested isn’t ideal. While some athletes don’t want to protest because of the risk of losing their job.

Despite athletes earning millions of dollars and some thinking they can’t be related to, they are human just as we are. On some levels athletes are very relatable to us. Athletes have to pay taxes just like everyone else and athletes are exposed to and are affected by social inequality. Lebron James’s home was vandalized in 2017 when the N-word was spray painted on the front gate. Just like many citizens are targeted with hate-crimes athletes face much of the same. Even though some athletes aren’t perfect role models many try to do good and give back to their communities. More athletes need to join the effort to impact change and protest. Whether it’s those who are known by many or even athletes who are not as popular need to display their want for change. An important showing of protest was when Professional athletes withholding from games has also become more and more common. “When they refuse to play, that hurts the bottom line for leagues and team owners, who could try to force change. “The NBA is owned by billionaires, and billionaires have a lot of power,” said Erik Loomis, professor of history at the University of Rhode Island. He said owners could use that power to lobby state legislatures” (Segarra). Teams and players making the decision to not play sends strong messages to not only the viewers of the sport but to team owners and the sport organizations.

Professional sports and athletes have all the tools to impact change and their large followings give them an advantage in spreading their message. Whether spreading ideas through social media or not playing games such as NBA players have exhibited, pro and college sports and athletes possess the ability to impact change and impact the views of millions of people. Athletes have to continue sharing their opinions and protesting despite those who believe they have no place in sharing their views on social change. The greater number of athletes that protest will result in more of the public being influenced and a greater possibility for change. Athletes like Lebron James and Colin Kaepernick have led the way with their protests allowing for other voices to be heard. Such as college athletes who have less followings but messages that are just as important. It is unacceptable for a country to oppress a race and feel threatened by people because of their skin color. Social change, equality, and a stopping to police brutality must occur.

Work Cited

Associated Press. “How Sports Can Start an Entire Social Movement.” New York Post, New York Post, 2 Feb. 2018, nypost.com/2018/02/02/how-sports-can-start-an-entire-social-movement/. Accessed 6 Oct 2020.

Blue, Victor J. “What We Know About the Death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Sept. 2020, www.nytimes.com/article/george-floyd.html. Accessed 6 Oct 2020.

Botelho, Greg. “What Happened the Night Trayvon Martin Died.” CNN, Cable News Network, 23 May 2012, www.cnn.com/2012/05/18/justice/florida-teen-shooting-details/index.html. Accessed 5 Oct 2020.

McGuire, Corbin. “College Athletes Using Platforms to Speak out on Social Justice Issues.” NCAA.org – The Official Site of the NCAA, NCAA, 18 Aug. 2020, www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/feature/college-athletes-using-platforms-speak-out-social-justice-issues. Accessed 6 Oct 2020.

Ray, Rashawn. “How Can We Enhance Police Accountability in the United States?” Brookings, Brookings, 27 Oct. 2020, www.brookings.edu/policy2020/votervital/how-can-we-enhance-police-accountability-in-the-united-states/. Accessed 29 Oct 2020. ]

Segarra, Marielle. “How Athletes Are Using Their Platform for Black Lives Matter.” Marketplace, 28 Aug. 2020, www.marketplace.org/2020/08/27/pro-athletes-have-a-platform-and-theyre-using-it/. Accessed 5 Oct 2020.

Sullivan, Emily. “Laura Ingraham Told LeBron James To Shut Up And Dribble; He Went To The Hoop.” NPR, NPR, 19 Feb. 2018, www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/19/587097707/laura-ingraham-told-lebron-james-to-shutup-and-dribble-he-went-to-the-hoop. Accessed 22 Nov 2020.

Wyche, Steve. “Colin Kaepernick Explains Why He Sat during National Anthem.” NFL.com, NFL, 26 Aug. 2020, www.nfl.com/news/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-sat-during-national-anthem-0ap3000000691077. Accessed 6 Oct 2020.