How can athletes help create positive change in the world?
How do sports affect politics? Sports affects politics by galvanizing their fanbase and audience about important issues in society. Without the voice, it is harder to create change–not impossible, but harder.
Athletes can help unify the masses in a short period of time and bring visibility to injustices that many ignore. An athlete must use their platform responsibly. While focusing on being an elite athlete, they must also equip and acquire a knowledge base that can assist them in moving society forward. Many athletes like Lebron James and Colin Kaepernick have continued to bring attention to issues that many athletes have ignored or been indifferent to in years past. This new-found moral compass by players and coaches like Spurs Popovich should be appreciated by all athletes and the people that enjoy what they do.
Athletes have always helped move society forward.
Moral courage is something that this world needs as we continue to face social instability, wars, rumors of wars, terrorism, police brutality, and fear of social expulsion. Many have chosen to remain silent. One of the greatest tragedies of life is not just the violence, war, or oppression, but also those that remain to stay silent, indifferent, and passive in the face of injustice.
A great biblical scripture states, “Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, is with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you.”
Often we say we care; we want to change; we desire peace, joy, and freedom for all. But it seems that it is more common to let someone else fight the battle. We must ask the questions:
- Who will fight for justice if I don’t?
- Will speak for those who have no voice?
- Who will fight for the weak if I don’t?
- Will stand for justice for all people if I don’t?
- And lastly…If I am found in an abusive situation… who will fight for me?
By exercising the moral courage within all of us, we create an environment where all people are inspired to fight for justice at all times for all people.
Courage is required to take action when we have doubts or fears about the consequences.
Moral courage, therefore, involves communication within our inner selves. Moral courage is taking action while facing our fears, societal criticism, and possible negative reaction. But the result of moral courage is the very thing we benefit from now, the ability for me to write this article, for you to be reading this article, to work with self-determination, and the freedom of thought. Moral courage is as much a part of our life as the air we breathe.
Fear is a negative expectation of something that has not yet happened. It is an anticipation of something that is not guaranteed to happen and, ultimately, a false negative image implanted our minds. Fear can be useful, but only if we treat it as a warning signal–an impetus to create positive action that can override a potentially negative outcome.
We must stand together for peace, harmony, justice for all, and for all to have freedom of choice. The freedom to deal with the consequences and success of our decisions that are the result of moral courage. Be bold, like a roaring lion.
2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Racism in America: Solving Racism By looking in the Mirror
Given the recent events happening across the nation, it would be socially irresponsible for us not to address this issue. We base a lot of what we do on mental and physical strategies for life success. Ignoring, being indifferent, indignant, or sticking your head in the sand is not a good strategy.
Say No to Racism By Looking in the Mirror…
In this article, I will go into detail about the culture of racism, the response to racism, and propose a solution to racism, which you may find surprising.
First off, I’d like to note that when I use the terms “White” and “Black/minority,” I am referring to a mentality that often is associated with pigmentation.
People have argued Black people are holding Black people back. If you look at it from strictly an economic buying power, they may have a point. Blacks have at least 250 Billion to 1 Trillion dollars in purchasing power. If that money was focused on supporting solid, positive black businesses, we would see a drastic change in the economic condition of communities with high numbers of Blacks. We would also see a rise in employment. But to say, “Blacks hold Blacks back” is simply not true. What you will find is in communities where individual young Blacks have a chance of success, there are also a high number of people protecting these individuals in the hopes that they will see all the opportunities that life has to offer.
Racism is a problem that has long haunted America.
Race has always been a problem that many people would like to sweep under the rug and never discuss. Race is a lot more complex than most of us are willing to admit, and all too often too stressful for many to want to discuss.
It is quite interesting when you look at American history. I would argue that Blacks or African Americans are disproportionately at a disadvantage in America. But Native Americans have had their share of oppression and casualties, as well. Often people forget the Native American experience. Where are they? Why don’t they hold significant positions of power? I’m sure intelligent and innovative Native Americans have a lot more to offer this society besides subsidized casinos.
Part of the problem is economics. Historically, while Whites have built and dominated all significant institutions, they have often done this at the expense of uncompensated labor (slavery) and extermination or oppression (Native American removal) of other groups. This, in turn, has made access to capital the fundamental problem that cannot be separated from racism. The origins of American business interests are embedded in the foundation of U.S. society at the expense of using and dominating other groups. So racism in America is part of its DNA. It’s a sub-conscience thought process of superiority that is embedded in the culture and not even something most people realize.
Racism is seen as the Boogie Man but often is more like the NYC Central Park Situation
Often people look at racism as the white hooded BOOGIE MAN with a noose in his hand and a cross burning behind him. In fact, it is much more subtle and, at times, romantic. Racism in America is like a bad relationship where gifts are the norm, and abuse is accepted. You find that often Blacks are unwilling to talk about this because of possible social exile, loss of a job, employment opportunities, and support of the dominant culture. Blacks are paid to be silent! This is why you often see athletes unwilling to talk about social issues. It impacts their bank accounts! It also impacts their fan base because social activism is not popular.
I always find it ironic when people use Mohammad Ali quotes, and then talk about him as if he was this beloved son of the U.S.A. Being the son of a father who knew history well, we know and can recall the hate and disdain people felt for him. Racism is subtle, but its devastation is always in the details that most don’t see.
Racism is a socialized way of thinking influenced by parentage, television, radio, and other integral parts of society. This thinking upholds a system that was built to benefit the dominant culture. On occasion, when whites are challenged with anything regarding race, they typically become very uncomfortable and often disengage. They respond with:
- Why is race even an issue?
- I don’t see race
- Or they point out that other people (minorities) are racist, too
Let me address the first point. Race is not an issue for most whites.
They exist outside that sphere. While they may have isolated struggles that pertain to race, it does not meet them at every corner. So for most whites, race really is not an issue!
Some respond with, “I don’t see race.” This is interesting because the Japanese see race, Chinese, Koreans, Africans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, even many Europeans and people from other countries all see race. But specifically, American Whites seem to be the only group that does not. Is every other group wrong, or is it simply beneficial for White Americans to ignore race?
The third statement, “other people are racist too,” is just plain false. Most people are biased. But there’s a difference between prejudice and racism. Racism is about economics. Who is predominately in power? Who gets access to capital? These are the people who are in the position to be racist. The last statement is the best of all because it is an admission that, yes, racism exists. The key is moving beyond that statement to a more meaningful discussion with positive actions that follow.
American and Traveling Internationally
I can say personally that I find it interesting how easily I integrate into other cultures when I travel overseas. Yet I still find it challenging here on American soil. Given that I was born here, educated here, understand the environment, it would seem that it should be easier socially, but often it is much more of a struggle.
When you look at American society, it will often give the impression that intelligence is derived strictly from that of the dominant culture. Take, for example, Alex Jones, Rush Limbaugh, Don Imus & Glenn Beck. Combined, they had a listening audience of over 50 million. They scream, yell, rant, and rave freely. Others may disagree with their strong viewpoints, but rarely are they questioned or singled out as being too aggressive or too extreme. Contrast that with any Latino, Black, or other minority, and they are labeled radical and exiled from the economic system. Rarely are people from other cultures embraced in such a way that it becomes a multi-million dollar business. Besides Oprah or Geraldo, you can’t find an equivalent to the people I mention above. And one could argue that Oprah made a living marketing to white females over 30, and Geraldo was never really taken seriously.
Racism is much like this article… all over the place!
It is complex… but significant strides can be made by looking in the mirror.
8 Keys To Solving Racism – Looking in the mirror (speaking to Blacks)
- Stop discussing and mentioning racism with Whites. The strongest approach is to address it from within your own community and let your actions speak for themselves.
- Stop waiting on others for assistance and use your energy, dollars, and voices to support legitimate businesses run by those within your community.
- Organize your businesses and communities and stop waiting for the Trayvon Martins, and Eric Garners of the world to motivate you. Organize to build stronger communities, education centers, and businesses.
- Use the church to address the spiritual and social conditions instead of turning to the political arm, which is controlled by the dominant system. Participating in politics outside your local government will only force you to placate and serve the majority.
- Start policing your own communities by any means necessary. A no drug, no violence, and zero-tolerance mandate must be upheld by community residents.
- Create 50 banks in the next five years in all 50 states with the specific goal of funding minority local small businesses.
- Each Black person with a corporate job and three years experience must mentor one young Black person and walk them through the process of getting hired in their group at their company.
- Lastly, start mental and spiritual development training in the 6th grade. This is more important than science, technology, engineering, or math! The key to solving racism is not asking others to change, but rather it is in changing ourselves! We must empower ourselves so that we can create our own environment, business, and safety. That change does not require empathy, social change, or justice from those that have historically benefited from or been a part of institutionalized racism in America. Think of the Asian community or the Jewish community – both have received oppression. Granted, not to the level of Native Americans or African Americans on this continent, but they have overcome by unifying within their communities politically and economically while strategically fighting against hate.
This article was an archived article written 7 years ago which says a lot about racism in America
The truth about this article is it was written seven years ago on our social justice site. Earlier this year, I took the site down and archived the articles. I knew I had written several articles, not the issues we are facing today and low and behold I found it and did not change a thing. It is more relevant now than ever. Racism is relevant to all the sports we watch, and that is why athletes can use that platform in responsible ways to educate and eradicate racism.
So how do sports change or influence politics? Sports has always been the benchmark for fitness and meritocracy as it is harder to manipulate and limit opportunities based on unseen hard to pinpoint biases, but as we can see from the Colin Kaepernick situation, sports is not immune and often parallels society.