The intersection of sports and activism: athletes championing social justice
The physical and the political
Sports and activism have long been intertwined, with athletes harnessing their visibility and platform to advocate for social justice.
When I think of black athletes I think about a sacred goose, you know the one with golden eggs. This metaphorical way of describing athletes is just a way for me to unveil the exploitation of their abilities.
A powerful analogy that highlights the exploitation and commodification of athletes in the sports industry WHERE they supposed to be voiceless.
But athletes and supporters have a long history of activism, with notable examples including Muhammad Ali's refusal to fight in the Vietnam War, Tommie Smith and John Carlos's Black Power salute, Magic Johnson's efforts to de-stigmatize HIV/AIDS, or Arthur Ashe's work to expose the injustices of apartheid.
While some may assume that athletes have only recently become more politically involved, this is not the case. In fact, athletes have been using their platform to advocate for social justice causes for decades.
by the way, When high-profile athletes express their opinions on social and political issues, they often have a significant impact on public opinion.In fact, many believe that athletes have more influence than traditional representatives in some situations.
A recent survey found that 72% of Americans believe that athletes have had a considerable impact on the Black Lives Matter movement.
This demonstrates the significant influence that athletes can have on social change, and underscores the importance of their role in promoting important issues.
Unfortunately, those who traditionally benefit from the power of sports, such as owners, sponsors, and broadcasters, often do not want to be bothered or distracted by social issues.
As a result, they may try to silence or diminish the activism of athletes, or bring the debate about the right of athletes to utilise their platform to share their beliefs.
Recently, the Olympics have introduced new guidelines aimed at silencing athletes who wish to express their dissent.
According to the directive, athletes are allowed to express their support for Black Lives Matter during press conferences, but are prohibited from wearing clothing with the BLM logo, as this is considered a political protest rather than an expression of solidarity against bigotry.
It’s funny cause the Olympics have always been political, with numerous examples throughout history of political controversies and boycotts.
In 1936, the Nazi Olympics in Berlin were a source of controversy, while in 1948, Germany and Japan were banned from participating due to their role in World War II. In 1956, several countries including Egypt, Lebanon, and Iraq boycotted the Olympics in protest of the Suez Crisis, while in 1968, the Civil Rights Protest at Mexico City sparked international attention.
During the last World Cup, a significant number of supporters made a powerful statement by waving Palestinian flags, aiming to raise awareness about the mistreatment endured by Palestinians. Their actions sought to draw attention to the ongoing struggles faced by the Palestinian people and shed light on the need for justice, equality, and peace in the region.
By displaying the Palestinian flag, these supporters aimed to use the global platform of the World Cup to amplify the voices of those affected by the conflict and advocate for a more equitable resolution.