Do Athletes Have To Become Social Activists?

[The_Sheff]

No, they dont have to. Just as in the regular workplace many are not equipped to being the mouthpiece for anything. The thing is that it is expected that someone among the bunch would have the courage to step up and speak on injustices or try to bring about change because some are in the unique position of not having to worry about job or financial security. If Russell Wilson was the face of the anthem kneeling protest and then Cam Newton, Julio Jones, Dez Bryant, Khalil Mack, Von Miller, etc...joined them then you immediately put the pressure on society and the owners to address it because as much shyt as the owners (Jerry Jones) talk they arent going to bench players of that calibur and since those are franchise level players its in everyones best interests to appease them and get them back on board with standing. So thats where the frustration sets in from people who want to see athletes do more, they are in a position where they cant lose and they still choose to keep silent.

Kareem was very outspoken on social issues but they couldnt touch him becuase who in there right mind is gonna cut Kareem?

 

[Panther]

Do they have to? Absolutely not

But when you see a fellow brotha fall on the sword like Kaep did, the way they blackballed him. Then see these owners and the president make this about a piece of damn cloth when we are talking about us getting murdered, I would hope you would say something.

And a lot of these NFL brehs come right out of the hood, they are fully aware of how the cops treat the average black person

 

[Tyrantus]

@42 Monks

I appreciate a good discussion, but I'll be blunt and say that you're speaking in platitudes. Not only that, you're being outright dismissive of my initial point where I communicated the fact that these guys have not spent their lives dedicated to the institutions that govern and direct our world. They don't hail from educational backgrounds of politics, civil science/engineering, economics, technology, social work, etc - they throw balls far. The real false equivalence is when you compare the athletes to those. That's not to say that all athletes are trash. Not at all. Kareem, for example, was an exceptional symbol for all. But note that these are exceptions to the rule, not the standard.

There is always a reason given on why this and that person cannot participate in protest or even speak on the issues. "He's rich", "She' poor", "She's not from here", "He's part white". Just another attempt to discourage dissent is all it is. A person that brings light to a just cause, no matter their background, is not one that should just be ignored. They are part of something bigger.

And to be blunt here, you're engaging to similar tactics as the people on the other side of this issue.

I'm not being dismissive, I'm in the belief that true trust and faith in a community means that you can hold leaders and those that openly follow those leaders accountable. I don't think that's wrong either. If you say you care about the community, then you shouldn't be defensive when someone asks you to explain yourself, your cause, your process. That's something that many, many people can no longer fukking do when it comes to this Kaep situation specifically. When you have a goal and no plan, that's called hope. When you have no direction, you can't take a step forward.

Short version, motherfukkers are making it up as they go and want to get in their feelings when things like responsibility, purpose, and end-game get brought up again.

You're advocating defeatism. The protest is in regards to bringing attention to the treatment of blacks by police. We want better policing. Accountability for police officers. There is push back, which is expected and you're saying we should just give up. How we proceed forward is uncertain, but the aims are certain unlike what you're suggesting.

Also, what sense does it make to say "we could own the league" when show nowhere near the same give a fukk for basic infrastructure necessary to our communities? That is a PAINFUL misdirection to have to confront again and again and again. That's trapping yourself and everyone who falls in line with you in broken logic.

Did you read what I typed? I'm noticing a pattern here. It's like you think the worst of the worst of the black community. I said that people in the community are waking up to the fact that we need to build our own on every level. Not just jump to owning a sports league. From the ground up as other communities have done. That's what I said.

And no, I don't think you understand what I meant by populist. Populist policies isn't even a.... thing really. Obama's and Trump's campaigns both were 'new' in the sense that they gathered massive and hugely significant portions of their momentum from all forms of media, not just speeches and rallies. They made themselves likable or preferable in ways that had little to do with their actual policies. This momentum came from businesses, news agencies, schools, entertainment, etc. Responsible outreach directs those in your bubble towards the policy maker. Your influence over these people = votes. That influence is a commodity constantly in trade.

It is a nebulous term, but my concern is why are you even bringing Obama into this discussion alongside Trump? It's out of left field and serves no purpose other than to equivocate. There is no need to cloud the issue here.

Who do these guys endorse? They don't fukking know because they never equipped themselves to play this game AND they have been conditioned to be dumb enough to consistently allow their influence to be reconfigured into whatever someone else wants. You guys literally saw the owners jack Kaep's own movement quick. It was easy. It was easy because these guys are out of their depth.

Please, everyone knows what Trump, the owners and parts of the media are doing. Many of the "dumb" athletes themselves have pointed it out. Stay on message and even redirect if you have to. All messages we put out will be misrepresented by a large part of the media/population. We know that. That doesn't mean we just give up like you're suggesting.

Lastly, this "we're making a difference by trying hard" shyt is lazy, irresponsible, and straight up cheap. And if you spend time looking for an athlete's take over a real difference maker's then you're lost. You got brehs really out here trying to change the world and shyt but hold up lemme listen to see these dudes on ESPN gonna say next.

I'm saying all of us(or as many as possible) on every level. In all walks of life. You're twisting my words. I don't know if you're doing this intentionally or not, but you know sports, alongside an overall movement, can be a force for good. Stop playing dumb.

 

[mastermind]

Of course not, nor should their be an expectation put on them.

 

[42 Monks]

@42 Monks



There is always a reason given on why this and that person cannot participate in protest or even speak on the issues. "He's rich", "She' poor", "She's not from here", "He's part white". Just another attempt to discourage dissent is all it is. A person that brings light to a just cause, no matter their background, is not one that should just be ignored. They are part of something bigger.

And to be blunt here, you're engaging to similar tactics as the people on the other side of this issue.



You're advocating defeatism. The protest is in regards to bringing attention to the treatment of blacks by police. We want better policing. Accountability for police officers. There is push back, which is expected and you're saying we should just give up. How we proceed forward is uncertain, but the aims are certain unlike what you're suggesting.



Did you read what I typed? I'm noticing a pattern here. It's like you think the worst of the worst of the black community. I said that people in the community are waking up to the fact that we need to build our own on every level. Not just jump to owning a sports league. From the ground up as other communities have done. That's what I said.



It is a nebulous term, but my concern is why are you even bringing Obama into this discussion alongside Trump? It's out of left field and serves no purpose other than to equivocate. There is no need to cloud the issue here.


Please, everyone knows what Trump, the owners and parts of the media are doing. Many of the "dumb" athletes themselves have pointed it out. Stay on message and even redirect if you have to. All messages we put out will be misrepresented by a large part of the media/population. We know that. That doesn't mean we just give up like you're suggesting.



I'm saying all of us(or as many as possible) on every level. In all walks of life. You're twisting my words. I don't know if you're doing this intentionally or not, but you know sports, alongside an overall movement, can be a force for good. Stop playing dumb.

be specific then

 

[Crayola Coyote]

Dez just trying to feed his family Breh

 

[MikelArteta]

There kewns too me, if it wasn't for black folks willing to risk it all there would still be Jim Crow laws

 

[MikelArteta]

Imagine Larry doby, Jackie Robinson, Willie oree saying you know I'm just trying to feed my family f this

Dez just trying to feed his family Breh

 

[TKOK]

No.

 

[Shogun]

All Americans have a responsibility to contribute in a civic manner.
Very few do, though, and no one gives a shyt. What's different about football players?

 

[DonRe]

As little education as most of these dudes have and foresight, I don't think they should be leaders in the community.

Those who speak up insightfully should be applauded and pushed to the forefront. Those who are silent or are misinformed and decided to speak up foolishly, should stick to sports.

The problem is that in the grand scheme of things America only values minorities via entertainment. Therefore, entertainers should use there platform to uplift and empower there community. Only as a stepping stone, start the conversation.

The real work lies with us. We civilians are more, better educated, much more versed in social/class issues since we deal with them everyday, and as a collective more financially suited to cause social change.

 

[nieman]

As little education as most of these dudes have and foresight, I don't think they should be leaders in the community.

Those who speak up insightfully should be applauded and pushed to the forefront. Those who are silent or are misinformed and decided to speak up foolishly, should stick to sports.

The problem is that in the grand scheme of things America only values minorities via entertainment. Therefore, entertainers should use there platform to uplift and empower there community. Only as a stepping stone, start the conversation.

The real work lies with us. We civilians are more, better educated, much more versed in social/class issues since we deal with them everyday, and as a collective more financially suited to cause social change.

I agree 100% with this. Also, people (youth) inside the communities need to stop looking at athletes as figureheads and role models and look more towards the positive figures in the community that are there striving to make that change. I know that is the biggest obstacle faced when moving the needle.

 

[Primetime]

It's not a prerequisite...

...The real question is, if you have that platform, why wouldn't you want to reach out and a set a good, empowering example to the youth in your community?

Pretty much. For me it'd just be common sense. I can't ask the community to look out for my own best interests outside of my job i.e. buying my merchandise (enabling me for big endorsement deals), voting me to all star games that are contract bonus-incentive, and giving support if I were to ever be a victim to racism... but then i turn around and don't want to speak on, offer support or at least acknowledge major issues hampering the community.

Now the amount of tact may vary from person to person (Kaep, Lebron, Steph, Marshawn, Melo, etc) but it ain't a question of do you have to. That's a loaded question bc you don't have to do shyt in life. It's more so is combating racism important to you and if so what can you do with what you have? Which is a question we can all ask ourselves.

 

[the next guy]

no. in fact the majority are not.


and they don't have to be role models either.

 

[homiedontplaydat]

No one has to do anything they don't want to do, I just find it hard to believe that having access to that kind of wealth and resources wouldn't empower u to do more for your community. With great power comes great responsibilities.