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You already know where I stand on this issue. I believe that if we are going to reap all the benefits of fame, then we also have a duty to use the platform given us to help our communities thrive. Like it or not, studies show that athletes are second only to parents in influencing young people.
I have been among the many athletes who have spoken publicly against systemic racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, anti-immigration, anti-LGBTQ+ and other hateful positions that damage our country by marginalizing people. Most recently, I’ve advocated for everyone getting the COVID-19 vaccine in order to save lives and invigorate our economy.
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I’d like to know what you think. Do athletes have a responsibility to speak out on social issues?
I don't know about responsibility, but certainly athletes have an *opportunity* to speak out on social issues and can make a tremendous difference in doing so, as we saw last year in the NBA bubble. Grateful to you for speaking out so passionately on COVID and social justice issues-- as well as pop culture-- and thrilled that you have this platform to do it.
I think athletes have as much responsibility as anyone else. If you see injustice, you have to call it out. That goes for me, that goes for you, that goes for everyone. The problem, of course, is that it's never easy to find the courage to exercise that responsibility. As much as I commend you for speaking up all your life, what I truly admire is that you have never lacked the courage of your convictions.
The "Cleveland Summit" made a huge impression on me when I was in 9th grade. My brother was (reluctantly) serving in Viet Nam. His and my growing opinions and attitudes about war closely mirrored those of Muhammed Ali. I viewed Kareem (then Lew), Russell, and Jim Brown as serious, committed, and intelligent examples of moral courage. I learned from them and from others that it was right to stand up and speak out peac efully against misguided power. We all have that responsibility. Not every one of us is as articulate as Kareem or as passionate as Ali, but we can all (athletes or not) stand up for what is right. When I see an entire team on national television stand arm in arm wearing "I Can't Breathe" shirts, I am moved and inspired toward justice. I am old now and surer than ever in my beliefs. But there are many 9th graders out there who need to see and hear the truth from men and women they respect.
I am a little uncomfortable with the word "responsibility". Not everyone, including athletes, are comfortable publicly speaking out or working for social justice. But I believe there is an obligation, given an athlete's platform, fame and inspiration to children, not to spread lies and conspiracy theories.
As beneficiaries of not only family, community, church & fan support, athletes have responsibilities to their base, whether to speak out on social & political issues, or to present as mentors & role models for young people especially. What a great opportunity to help and encourage future generations.
Yes, I think they do. They have forum that can be put to positive use. If you'd like to see a positive example, take a look at the "We Race As One" film-clip played before the start of each F1 race.
I believe it goes to what you've said, Kareem. If you are going to reap the full benefits of being a famous athlete in our society, you should use that soapbox you're given responsibly, which includes speaking up and out on social issues.
Yes, sports are the great uniter and therefore athletes should be feel compelled to leverage their position for the greater good. If they don’t, no need for shame, but with great power comes great responsibility. On the flip side, if an athlete adds to divisiveness, why should fans contribute to their prosperity?
I think so, everyone has a right to speak on on what they see/feel. All we have to do is make room for all the opinions, not just the ones we may agree with. :)
A responsibility, no. There are some things that are required of athletes beyond their sport, such as allowing some media access, team events, etc., but everyone should be allowed to choose whether they're politically or socially active. No one should be dragged into having a public opinion about hot-button issues. But it is important for athletes to recognize the incredible megaphone they have, and how much they can affect change.
I think athletes already inspire millions of young people to be dedicated, to work hard, and that the sacrifice and commitment necessary to compete at an elite level gives kids a roadmap to succeed, whether in sport or life generally. Given the fact that they are so admired, I think it's great that athletes speak out on subjects that matter to them, as people listen to athletes before politicians or stars because their skills inspire people to try harder. But it's ironic that when athletes like Naomi Osaka speak out about racism, suddenly they're 'woke', or when she or Simone Biles pull out of events for their own mental health, the public feels betrayed, or that they are no longer worthy of support.. Its a sad blight on the rest of us that those so admired for their physical ability aren't allowed to display any social conscience without being belittled by people who don't know any better..
As #DrCornellWest has clearly expressed: “Justice is what Love looks like in public.”
And #InjusticeAnywhereIsAThreatToJusticeEverywhere (ref. #MLKjr).
So, when the unholy #PowersThatBe CONtinue to spew their “Official LI(n)ES” about epochal events like 11/22/63, the “Gulf of Tonkin ‘Incident’,”
#USSLiberty, 4/4 & 6/6/68, and especially the #911FalseFlagAtrocity, it becomes #Time4AllGoodMenAndWomenToComeToTheAidOfOurCountry.
Ally with we CREATORS (Conspiracy Realist Educator Activist Truther Organizer Reader Socializers) participating in a strictly nonviolent #RevolutionOfAwareness (ref. Bollyn.com) whose goal is #TruthAndReconciliation (ref. #NelsonMandela).
Wherever you are, and at whatever stage of address you are on #AbrahamMaslow‘s #HierarchyOfNeeds, dear Readers, please strive to #BeHealthilySkeptical, and not soul-corrodingly cynical.
Frequent fervent recitation of the #SerenityPrayer will Help you each and All to achieve and maintain NEARLY #optimumWellness, most especially when aware Nutrition Exercise Attitude (of gratitude &) Rest Lengthens Youthfulness.
Yes, you are correct. Other than our parents, athletes do have tremendous influence in our society. So yes, they should be responsible for their viewpoints.
Kareem, for some reason the comments aren't appearing. It also keeps telling me to subscribe even though I already did.
Anyways. I believe people in the public spotlight have a greater responsibility to make a good example. They have influence and power, and as in any situation where one has influence and power (whether in a leadership position for an organization, as a parent, a manager, etc.), one must realize that their actions have heightened consequences because they affect more than just themselves. Thus, when someone in a position like that makes a good decision, it becomes more influential than simply affecting their own life. And when they make a bad example, same thing.
So, I don't think athletes are obligated to speak out on social issues. But whatever they do choose to speak out about, they should treat it with greater caution.
I believe athletes have a responsibility to lead by example, not necessarily to speak out unsolicited. If that’s what they feel the need to do, they should, but I’m more impressed by the athletes that stay on the right side of the law, support and love their families, play hard and help their teams do well and get better.
If an athlete is comfortable going public with an opinion on social issue topics, and is prepared for the inevitable blowback from the professional talkers on TV and radio, and the hordes on the social media platforms than that athlete should go right ahead. But not everyone, athlete or not, should be required to do so. A couple of dangerous phrases that have become popular these days are "silence equals complicity" and "silence is violence". No one should be forced into the public square on issues they are not willing to address. Just because someone has reached the highest level of their chosen sport automatically becomes an expert on topics not related to their sport. And that's true for us regular folk too.
Flat-out: no. Athletes have a choice to be responsible, but in no way should that responsibility be obligatory. It's a matter of conscience.
Hero Worship: The veneration of athletes as social role models is kind of sketchy - there are some athletes who are not in the best position to speak out on anything, let alone social issues. But! Then there are athletes who the public tends to hear more amplified than others due to their clear message(s).
I don't know about responsibility, but certainly athletes have an *opportunity* to speak out on social issues and can make a tremendous difference in doing so, as we saw last year in the NBA bubble. Grateful to you for speaking out so passionately on COVID and social justice issues-- as well as pop culture-- and thrilled that you have this platform to do it.
I think athletes have as much responsibility as anyone else. If you see injustice, you have to call it out. That goes for me, that goes for you, that goes for everyone. The problem, of course, is that it's never easy to find the courage to exercise that responsibility. As much as I commend you for speaking up all your life, what I truly admire is that you have never lacked the courage of your convictions.
The "Cleveland Summit" made a huge impression on me when I was in 9th grade. My brother was (reluctantly) serving in Viet Nam. His and my growing opinions and attitudes about war closely mirrored those of Muhammed Ali. I viewed Kareem (then Lew), Russell, and Jim Brown as serious, committed, and intelligent examples of moral courage. I learned from them and from others that it was right to stand up and speak out peac efully against misguided power. We all have that responsibility. Not every one of us is as articulate as Kareem or as passionate as Ali, but we can all (athletes or not) stand up for what is right. When I see an entire team on national television stand arm in arm wearing "I Can't Breathe" shirts, I am moved and inspired toward justice. I am old now and surer than ever in my beliefs. But there are many 9th graders out there who need to see and hear the truth from men and women they respect.
I am a little uncomfortable with the word "responsibility". Not everyone, including athletes, are comfortable publicly speaking out or working for social justice. But I believe there is an obligation, given an athlete's platform, fame and inspiration to children, not to spread lies and conspiracy theories.
As beneficiaries of not only family, community, church & fan support, athletes have responsibilities to their base, whether to speak out on social & political issues, or to present as mentors & role models for young people especially. What a great opportunity to help and encourage future generations.
Yes, I think they do. They have forum that can be put to positive use. If you'd like to see a positive example, take a look at the "We Race As One" film-clip played before the start of each F1 race.
I believe it goes to what you've said, Kareem. If you are going to reap the full benefits of being a famous athlete in our society, you should use that soapbox you're given responsibly, which includes speaking up and out on social issues.
Cheers,
Will
Yes, sports are the great uniter and therefore athletes should be feel compelled to leverage their position for the greater good. If they don’t, no need for shame, but with great power comes great responsibility. On the flip side, if an athlete adds to divisiveness, why should fans contribute to their prosperity?
I think so, everyone has a right to speak on on what they see/feel. All we have to do is make room for all the opinions, not just the ones we may agree with. :)
A responsibility, no. There are some things that are required of athletes beyond their sport, such as allowing some media access, team events, etc., but everyone should be allowed to choose whether they're politically or socially active. No one should be dragged into having a public opinion about hot-button issues. But it is important for athletes to recognize the incredible megaphone they have, and how much they can affect change.
I think athletes already inspire millions of young people to be dedicated, to work hard, and that the sacrifice and commitment necessary to compete at an elite level gives kids a roadmap to succeed, whether in sport or life generally. Given the fact that they are so admired, I think it's great that athletes speak out on subjects that matter to them, as people listen to athletes before politicians or stars because their skills inspire people to try harder. But it's ironic that when athletes like Naomi Osaka speak out about racism, suddenly they're 'woke', or when she or Simone Biles pull out of events for their own mental health, the public feels betrayed, or that they are no longer worthy of support.. Its a sad blight on the rest of us that those so admired for their physical ability aren't allowed to display any social conscience without being belittled by people who don't know any better..
Yes!
As #DrCornellWest has clearly expressed: “Justice is what Love looks like in public.”
And #InjusticeAnywhereIsAThreatToJusticeEverywhere (ref. #MLKjr).
So, when the unholy #PowersThatBe CONtinue to spew their “Official LI(n)ES” about epochal events like 11/22/63, the “Gulf of Tonkin ‘Incident’,”
#USSLiberty, 4/4 & 6/6/68, and especially the #911FalseFlagAtrocity, it becomes #Time4AllGoodMenAndWomenToComeToTheAidOfOurCountry.
Ally with we CREATORS (Conspiracy Realist Educator Activist Truther Organizer Reader Socializers) participating in a strictly nonviolent #RevolutionOfAwareness (ref. Bollyn.com) whose goal is #TruthAndReconciliation (ref. #NelsonMandela).
Wherever you are, and at whatever stage of address you are on #AbrahamMaslow‘s #HierarchyOfNeeds, dear Readers, please strive to #BeHealthilySkeptical, and not soul-corrodingly cynical.
Frequent fervent recitation of the #SerenityPrayer will Help you each and All to achieve and maintain NEARLY #optimumWellness, most especially when aware Nutrition Exercise Attitude (of gratitude &) Rest Lengthens Youthfulness.
Namaste.
No
Yes, you are correct. Other than our parents, athletes do have tremendous influence in our society. So yes, they should be responsible for their viewpoints.
Kareem, for some reason the comments aren't appearing. It also keeps telling me to subscribe even though I already did.
Anyways. I believe people in the public spotlight have a greater responsibility to make a good example. They have influence and power, and as in any situation where one has influence and power (whether in a leadership position for an organization, as a parent, a manager, etc.), one must realize that their actions have heightened consequences because they affect more than just themselves. Thus, when someone in a position like that makes a good decision, it becomes more influential than simply affecting their own life. And when they make a bad example, same thing.
So, I don't think athletes are obligated to speak out on social issues. But whatever they do choose to speak out about, they should treat it with greater caution.
I believe athletes have a responsibility to lead by example, not necessarily to speak out unsolicited. If that’s what they feel the need to do, they should, but I’m more impressed by the athletes that stay on the right side of the law, support and love their families, play hard and help their teams do well and get better.
If an athlete is comfortable going public with an opinion on social issue topics, and is prepared for the inevitable blowback from the professional talkers on TV and radio, and the hordes on the social media platforms than that athlete should go right ahead. But not everyone, athlete or not, should be required to do so. A couple of dangerous phrases that have become popular these days are "silence equals complicity" and "silence is violence". No one should be forced into the public square on issues they are not willing to address. Just because someone has reached the highest level of their chosen sport automatically becomes an expert on topics not related to their sport. And that's true for us regular folk too.
Flat-out: no. Athletes have a choice to be responsible, but in no way should that responsibility be obligatory. It's a matter of conscience.
Hero Worship: The veneration of athletes as social role models is kind of sketchy - there are some athletes who are not in the best position to speak out on anything, let alone social issues. But! Then there are athletes who the public tends to hear more amplified than others due to their clear message(s).