Why the black athlete speaks out: Social justice!

Black Athletes throughout time from segregation to desegregation has been a voice for their community when topics such as race, economics, and education come up.

In doing so taking a risk to their livelihoods while leaving white Americans wondering why so-called privilege athletes need to speak out on things that don't affect them.

Friday August 26, 2016 then San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was spotted sitting during the country's national anthem. Hours later when asked why didn't he stand by reporters his answer would spark national controversy.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media After Friday’s game. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Not only would Kaepernick words be echoed across the world but  his decision to kneel during the anthem as part of solidarity for those he spoke out for has gone on to start a movement that hasn't been seen since the days of Muhammad ALI refusal to enter the war,  John Carlos and Tommie Smith raising a black fist during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City as well as the Cleveland Summit of July 4, 1967 which bestowed some of the nations top African American athletes in attendance to support Ali decision to not enter the war.

“I believe when you stand up for what's right and making an example out of yourself you do pay for it, Kaepernick has most certainly paid for it,”Texas Southern University journalism professor Napoleon Johnson said.

Even though Kaepernick stood up for what’s right in Johnson's opinion he stilled paid for it and one could argue he knew he would be cut from the NFL so that's why he renegotiate his contract so that he would become a free agent at the end of 2017 seasons end.

If knowing this was the case than why would any athlete risk their own millions, benefits, career, and life for others, why voice their concerns?

“I feel like black athletes should voice their concerns because if athletes do this they will bring up a generation that is fearless,”Jamail Mathews a TSU journalism major said.

“This will also provide the younger generation with a sense of pride and role models that some don’t have,”Mathews said.

Wednesday May 31, 2017 just a day away for what at the time would become his 7th NBA Finals appearance in just 10 years something that hasn’t been done since Bill Russell Celtics in the '50s and 60's the face of the NBA , Lebron James Brentwood , California home is vandalized with the word niggers spray painted on the gate.

If you are a fan of James or the NBA you now then how conscious he is when it comes to speaking out on the issues dealing with racism and the great work he does sending thousands of kids to college a year.

A man doing great deeds in his community one would think why target him , one of the most powerful athletes the world has ever seen , James response was telling.

"No matter how much money you have, no matter how famous you are, no matter how many people admire you, being black in America is tough," he said. "We got a long way to go for us as a society and for us as African Americans until we feel equal in America,”James said.

Lebron James statement alone is why some feel as though it’s an athlete duty to speak on social issues that affect communities if they’re knowledgeable about the topic at hand.

“I believe athletes should use their platforms to speak on social issues as long as they are ready to represent themselves as strongly socially aware, and knowledgeable within the subject, “ Justine Pemberton TSU journalism major said.

I thinks it’s important for athletes to carry on the legacy of former athletes and use their platforms because viewers young and old can learn certain things and need role models,” Pemberton said.

Almost eight months after Lebron told the world about how even he as a rich black men in America didn’t feel equal he voiced his displeasure about the President.

February 15, 2018, on a recent episode on the UNINTERRUPTED a multimedia platform for athletes created by Lebron James, James in a discussion with fellow NBA player Kevin Durant , and ESPN Broadcaster Cari Champion expressed his grievances about the President when the topic presented itself.

“The climate is hot. The number-one job in America, the appointed person is someone who doesn’t understand the people. And really don’t give a (expletive) about the people. When I was growing up, there was like three jobs that you looked for inspiration … It was the president of the United States, it was whoever was best in sports and it was the greatest musician at the time. You never thought you could be them, but you can grab inspiration from them,”James said.

You may be asking yourslef why a person who is estimated to have a 400 million net worth according to Celebrity Network is so adamant on how he feel and yet again it’s not about him it’s bigger.

“And this time, right now, with the president of the United States, it’s at a bad time. While we cannot change what comes out of that man’s mouth, we can continue to alert the people that watch us, that listen to us, as this is not the way,” James on the UNINTERRUPTED said.

There you have it athletes through their own voices and words on why they will not just shut up and dribble, how both Kaepernick and Lebron stated emphatically why they speak for the people and the voiceless inside them.

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