Introduction
Athletes have protested for various issues throughout history, from civil rights to gender and racial inequity. Athletes of African descent have spearheaded these protests throughout the 20th century, including Princess Boateng, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Muhammad Ali, and John Carlos. Similar to how athletes have fought against injustice both directly and indirectly throughout history, today’s protests by athletes like LeBron James, Muhammad Ali, Wilma Rudolf, and many others can be considered instances. This essay will show how, despite variations in protests and strategies, the aim of all protests is consistently the same: to effect social change and end the suffering of all individuals afflicted by racism and injustice.
Historical and Modern Forms of Protest
Many professional athletes have joined rallies and activism recently, calling for social reform and societal justice. In the past, other athletes had also expressed their opinions, so some might have thought that the only distinction between them was how they protested. An examination of the article by Agyemang et al. in more detail indicates much more to the tale.
Using Tommie Smith as an example, his performance during the 1968 Olympics was a form of personal protest against racial injustice and segregation (Agyemang et al. 954). As opposed to today’s protests, led by Megan Rapinoe of soccer and Colin Kaepernick of the NFL, these protests tend to be more collaborative and cover a broader range of causes and frustrations (Agyemang et al. 953- 964). The recent group of athletes took collective action to broaden the power and reach of protest within the sport and beyond. Despite these distinctions, both protestors stand for freedom of expression and justice for those oppressed or disenfranchised.
Shared Principles in Sports Activism
People have also risen in various ways to protest for social change. The article by Agyemang et al. (955) offers examples of historical and modern sports protests, including those by former basketball player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and current athletes like NBA star LeBron James. Like Smith, these sportsmen demonstrate how their protest is based on fundamental ideals and ideas, such as the struggle against racial inequity.
Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali, and John Carlos are just a few athletes who support broad social change and its benefits for everyone (Agyemang et al. 958). Thanks to previous and present athletes, it is possible to examine the threads of shared principles and ideals that run from Tommie Smith to LeBron James (Agyemang et al. 958). The protests from then till today have been unified by a struggle for justice, equality, and standing up for the oppressed, despite the differences in their actions.
Changing Methods and Reactions
It can be seen that, despite having similar goals and objectives, the present protest movement among athletes has used varied methods and approaches. According to TePoel et al. (694), it has been hotly debated whether or not to use slogans like “Black Lives Matter” during pre-game and in-game activities. This is especially true in American football, where players have been observed to kneel while playing the national anthem, as in 2016 with former San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick. TePoel et al. (693) continue by saying that other typical forms of protest have included event boycotts and slogan-emblazoned clothing.
Support and Criticism of Athlete Protests
Athletes’ protests differ in how they are carried out and how the reaction has changed over time. TePoel et al. (695) point out that, unlike in the past, professional leagues and clubs have shown great support for the most recent protests. This is a noteworthy development, particularly given that some athletes’ demonstrations have frequently been criticized for “crossing the line” because of their political aspect.
It can be observed that there is still a similar thread tying today’s protests with those of the past, in addition to the variations in responses to the protests. According to TePoel et al. (694), igniting social change and demonstrating support for the cause remain the primary goals. This goal of raising awareness and enacting desperately needed reforms continues to be the driving force behind many of the protests witnessed this year.
Examples of Individual Athlete Protests
African Americans have always battled with issues of racism in sports across history. In other cases, game fans can lead athletes to react in undesirable ways. For instance, a Ghanaian defender, Prince Boateng, walked off the pitch after kicking the ball toward the stands angrily (A timeline of social activism in sports in the U.S. and Europe). This was after the supporters raised racist chants towards him, which he did not expect, especially in a modernized world. This led to the end of the match in the 26th minute after he led his entire team off the field following the incident.
Another NBA player, John Amaechi, claimed he does not see the relevance of national anthems sung before tournaments. Due to that, he refused to attend any tournament based in Russia as an athlete (A timeline of social activism in sports in the U.S. and Europe). Howard Gayle, a black football player who has played for 8 English football clubs, worked hard to make those around him aware of racism. He also did not sing their national anthem all the time he played to show how much he despised racist athletes (A timeline of social activism in sports in the U.S. and Europe). This shows how much people are willing to deny doing things that other groups treasure to stand their ground on the issue of social equality and fight against racism.
Landmark Moments in Sports Activism
During the Vietnam War, Muhammad Ali rose to reject a draft concerning civil rights formulated at the time and was supported by African American athletes. In 1968, a memorable protest was raised by Tommie Smith and John Carlos in sports (A timeline of social activism in sports in the U.S. and Europe). They used their Black Power salute to signify their protest and were supported by Peter Norman, who wore a human rights badge, which later made him lose his career (A timeline of social activism in sports in the U.S. and Europe). In another case, Carmelo Anthony accompanied protesters in Maryland to fight for racial fairness and better police accountability when dealing with people of color.
Gender Equality and Women’s Sports Protests
The women’s U.S. football team filed a lawsuit against U.S. Soccer for gender discrimination after feeling significantly undervalued relative to the men’s squad for years. This pressure paid off, as U.S. Soccer recently announced that the national teams for men and women have now secured new collective bargaining agreements that ensure equal remuneration for equal game appearances and tournament victories (Comrie). The club has gained significantly from this historic labor agreement, which includes increased annual fees, revenue-sharing arrangements, and shared World Cup prize money.
Other sports have also witnessed protests, frequently in response to social injustice. LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, among other NBA players, joined forces in 2016 to wear “I Can’t Breathe” shirts in remembrance of Eric Garner, who was killed by a police officer that year, and to protest police violence against African-American civilians (Comrie). NFL football players have also discovered nonviolent ways to communicate their messages.
A whole generation of athletes has been motivated to speak out and take a stand since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem playing before each football game as a quiet protest against police brutality (Comrie). Since then, athletes from various sports have prostrated to show their support. These examples indicate how various players have objected to the unfairness they see or experience around them, although their agenda is always the same.
The players’ activities above demonstrate their willingness to speak out against injustice in all sports. They have employed various strategies to have their opinions heard, including salary negotiations and quiet protests (Comrie). By adopting a public stance, athletes have brought awareness to the topics they care about, advanced their causes, and secured equitable remuneration for their labor.
Harry Edwards and the Philosophy of Sports Activism
A distinguished African-American sociologist and civil rights advocate, Harry Edwards is most known for his innovative work in sports activism. He covers a variety of subjects in the lecture, with a particular emphasis on the in-depth analysis of the 1968 Mexico Olympic protests led by Tommie Smith and John Carlos (The Harry Edwards lecture on sport and American culture presented by the McGarr Symposium and TPSM). Smith and Carlos received a thunderous standing ovation as they raised a gloved fist to support black emancipation in the face of racial injustice.
Mr. Edwards emphasizes the significance of this occasion and how Tommie and John, via nonviolent protest, laid the philosophical and political groundwork for sports activism. Mr. Edwards goes on to look at several other significant demonstrations, such as the WNBA protests in the 1990s and the Female Four’s powerful yet understated protest at the 2016 Olympics (The Harry Edwards lecture). These demonstrations occurred in a historical setting where athletics was a sociopolitical catalyst and brought about significant social change. Examining these demonstrations shows that while they are all radically different, they have a core trait: a commitment to fighting for what is good and moral.
To bring it all together, Mr. Edwards offers a thought-provoking analysis of some modern athletes’ advocacy. Even though the primary motivation seems to be financial, Mr. Edwards demonstrates that these movements are still relevant, even though organizations “use” and profit from the athletes for their ideas. Building on a rich tradition of activism and protest in sports, modern athletes can still draw attention to crucial topics that affect structural changes in society and shape public opinion because of the popularity of their sport.
Black Women’s Athletic Activism
The YouTube video “Black Women’s Athletic Activism” highlights the lengthy history of African American female athletic activism. From basketball players like the legendary team, the Houston Comets, who proudly wear their natural hair as a source of black pride, to tennis player Althea Gibson, who stood up to the injustices of segregation and was banned from hotels (Black women’s athletic activism), these women have used their sporting platforms to raise awareness of gender and racial inequality. Each person is deliberate and steadfast in their pursuit of justice.
Women have also experienced injustice in sports, but people have not kept quiet about it. For instance, when Alice Coachman became the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal, she gained notoriety (Black Women’s athletic activism). Despite her success, she did not receive the recognition she deserved and was subjected to the racist society’s prejudices and behaviors. Coachman fought for recognition by rejecting all endorsements from American businesses and only accepting those from churches and charities (Black Women’s athletic activism). As a result, Coachman was held up as an illustration of what could be accomplished through rallies against racial and economic inequity.
Wilma Rudolf, the first African American track and field star, broke the color barrier for black female athletes. She used her platform to promote equality and against prejudice in sports after experiencing dominance in the Nashville Amateur Athletic Union. She advocated for an end to sports segregation on TV talk shows and radio programs, and her perseverance and hard work paved the way for future female black athletes to be respected and recognized (Black Women’s athletic activism).
When Marilyn King declined to compete in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, she made a powerful statement about black women’s athletic advocacy. King decided to abstain from the games and join the boycott to protest the paucity of sports chances for black women in the sporting world (Black Women’s athletic activism). Her stance helped draw attention to the injustices female black athletes experienced, ultimately leading to more women of color being granted sporting privileges.
Muhammad Ali and Conscientious Objection
Muhammad Ali wrote a statement in 1967 explaining his reasons for declining to participate in the Vietnam War, citing his strong religious convictions as a Muslim. His refusal would serve as an example to tens of thousands of athletes around the globe and had severe repercussions that even reached the Supreme Court (How the Supreme Court changed its mind on Muhammad Ali’s draft conviction | PBS). The teachings of Ali’s protest are still relevant and have great importance now, even fifty years after it took place, for modern athletes and their views on civil rights (How the Supreme Court changed its mind).
In addition to his fame as an athlete at the time, Ali’s extremely public position on his views sparked a national conversation about the draft, religion, and conscientious objection. As a result, he lost his heavyweight titles and boxing license, and he was also given a five-year prison term for refusing to serve in the military. When the Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 1969, it was viewed as a significant turning point since, for many years, the court had rejected the religious defense of conscientious objection (Muhammad Ali refuses the Vietnam War Draft | PBS). It was viewed as a startling divergence from the Supreme Court’s customary First Amendment rulings.
The Supreme Court reversed course on Muhammad Ali’s draft conviction, citing how, in its landmark decision, it was decided unanimously that a person’s religious beliefs should be taken into account when determining the appropriate course of action for conscientious objectors (How the Supreme Court changed its mind). Since then, it has become simpler for conscientious objectors to exercise their First Amendment rights thanks to this fundamental change in judicial law (How the Supreme Court changed its mind). Other athletes have recently been inspired to make a statement against the political system, partly because of Ali’s case, which spurred a bigger conversation regarding athletes and protests.
Colin Kaepernick and Modern Protest Culture
In August 2016, Colin Kaepernick decided to “take a knee” during the playing of the National Anthem, which prompted a flurry of discussion and debate and became one of the key emblems of the recent U.S. protest culture. The former NFL quarterback discussed his decision not to stand during the anthem in a YouTube video posted soon after his nonviolent protest gained attention (Colin Kaepernick explains why he won’t stand during the national anthem). He compared the oppression and racism experienced by the country’s black population to what he saw as a form of restraint imposed by the anthem.
When Kaepernick decided to protest, it garnered widespread attention and swiftly drew support from other athletes and celebrities as a means of peaceful dissent. A wave of protests among athletes from various sports and mentalities ensued. Some people, including Kaepernick, choose to remain seated or hold their fists over their hearts while keeping their eyes focused forward while playing the national anthem (Colin Kaepernick explains).
Even two WNBA teams decided to wear jerseys honoring those who had died due to police brutality. While the tactics used to carry out these protests differed from one athlete to the next, they were all motivated by the same desire to express the suffering caused by racism in the country. Therefore, athletes can voice their problems in various ways, but the aim is always the same: to seek justice.
Solidarity and Collective Action
The concept of solidarity among protesters lies at the core of each effective protest of any successful movement. While individual members’ opinions were significant, WNBA teams tended to adopt a more communal spirit (Colin Kaepernick explains). They wanted to emphasize the collective character of the experience of racism in the nation while simultaneously highlighting the importance of individual voices. Although the motivations behind each of their rallies may have varied, they collectively sent a loud and clear message: America’s racist culture must end.
The variety of these demonstrations supports the notion that no method works for all anti-racism advocacy. A microcosm of society, athletes bring their distinct viewpoints to these topics. For example, some sportsmen have opted to bring attention to police brutality, while others have taken a stand to advocate for ending mass incarceration. No two protests are alike, but they are all founded in the struggle for racial equity and justice, which unites these athletes (Colin Kaepernick explains).
A wave of athletes protested in response to Kaepernick’s first protest and subsequent stand—or, instead, kneel. Although the causes of their demonstrations varied, they all started with the same premise—that racism and inequality must be eliminated. Regardless of whether the country pays attention, each person has a special tale to share, and these athletes will continue to express their right to free speech and defend their convictions (Colin Kaepernick explains). Athletes’ protests are ultimately diverse yet unified by the cause of racial parity and justice.
Gender Discrimination and Equal Pay in Sports
The Australian women’s cricket team protested in 1969 to voice their displeasure at being subjected to significantly worse conditions while playing on a public field than the men’s squad using the same ground. This demonstration demonstrated how the Australian cricket team’s gender prevented them from receiving equal treatment (Mervosh and Caron). Another instance of a female athlete protesting in sports is the 1974 North American Soccer League Women’s demonstrations (Cooper et al. 160). Despite playing the same sport as the men’s teams at the time, women’s teams were being paid less. This incident demonstrated how women’s teams experienced discrimination based on gender and were not accorded the same respect as men’s teams.
The American women’s hockey team decided to skip a global tournament in 1998. They did this to push for equal pay and chances for success as those enjoyed by the men’s squad. This boycott demonstrated how the American women’s hockey team was treated differently from the men’s squad due to their gender. The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team finally started criticizing U.S. Soccer in 2017 (Mervosh and Caron). They received lower compensation despite being more successful than the men’s squad. This demonstrated that the team’s treatment was biased against women.
Athletes are challenging discriminatory wages and working conditions that create an unfair playing field for female athletes in the case brought on behalf of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team against the U.S. Soccer Federation. While the type and setting of protests by athletes like this one frequently vary, at their heart, they aim to level the playing field regarding discrimination and labor exploitation. The legal action and protest by the U.S. Women’s Soccer team are comparable in this way (In stunning lawsuit, U.S. Women’s soccer team challenges pay, working conditions).
The U.S. Women’s Soccer team was being unfairly devalued compared to their male counterparts, according to the parameters that the U.S. Federal Court established in the lawsuit (In stunning lawsuit). When read carefully, the lawsuit criticizes the Federation for failing to offer an equivalent salary and for missing similar resources, travel, and lodging conditions. This violates all labor laws stipulating that equal pay for equal work should be the norm.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that despite differences in techniques and strategies used, athletes’ goals in protests have remained constant: to promote justice and equality and effect social change. While the specific forms of protest may vary, a common thread of beliefs and ideas unites them all. These actions demonstrate the ability of athletes to use their platforms to take a position.
Athletes can effectively promote their cause, advance their cause, and support their cause in public, as evidenced by Colin Kaepernick’s “taking a knee” and Tommie Smith and John Carlos’s Black Power salute, the Houston Comets sporting their natural hair with pride, and all of the above. In addition, Muhammad Ali’s conscientious objection is an example of how athletes can use protest to change history, mobilize public opinion, and inspire judicial reform. Therefore, it is clear that sports activism continues to play a key role in bringing about fundamental social reforms and increasing awareness of civil rights issues.
Works Cited
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Comrie, Tyler. “How U.S. Soccer and Its Players Solved the Equal Pay Puzzle.” The New York Times, Web.
Cooper, Joseph N, et al. “Race and Resistance: A Typology of African American Sports Activism.” International Review for the Sociology of Sport, vol. 54, no. 2, 2017, pp. 151–181, Web.
“The Harry Edwards Lecture on Sport and American Culture Presented by the McGarr Symposium and TPSM.” YouTube, Web.
“How the Supreme Court Changed Its Mind on Muhammad Ali’s Draft Conviction | PBS.” YouTube, Web.
“In Stunning Lawsuit, U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Challenges Pay, Working Conditions.” PBS, Web.
Mervosh, Sarah, and Christina Caron. “8 Times Women in Sports Fought for Equality.” The New York Times, Web.
“Muhammad Ali Refuses the Vietnam War Draft | PBS.” YouTube, Web.
TePoel, Dain, and John Nauright. “Black Lives Matter in the Sports World.” Sport in Society, vol. 24, no. 5, 2021, pp. 693–696, Web.
“A Timeline of Social Activism in Sports in the US and Europe.” CNN, 2018, edition. Web.