Sports are the most quintessential part of the American way of life. As a result of the changing political and social landscape in the last few years, many changes have taken place throughout #sporting events. The courts are emblazoned with social messages in support of movements such as Black Lives Matter (#BLM) and athletes are wearing messages on T-shirts and sports gear. Sports activism is on the rise. Sport activism and athlete activism is not new. The history of sports is embellished with athletes raising their voice against injustice on and off the field concerning social issues important to them. From the beginning of the Trump administration, there has been backlash against athletes voicing their opinions on anything other than sports. Many passionately defend athlete’s right to protest, whereas others believe that players should #StickToSports. Some say sports have become too political and others say that freedom of speech is for everyone.
Minnesota being a sports-centric state has a star team for every major sports league. Consequently, Minnesota sports is at the epicenter of the whole conversation of sports being politicized. Racial injustice and police violence have been the major cause that many athletes object to. In the wake of the police shooting of Philando Castile, the Minnesota Lynx of the #WNBA League protested with T-shirts as a sign to show solidarity against racial discrimination and police violence. Four years later in 2020, George Floyd's death incited another wave of protests from athletes. The Minnesota #Vikings kneeled during the anthem before the game to support the Black Lives Matter movement and protest racially charged #policeviolence. The protests were used to cause awareness and attention to the causes that mattered to the athletes.
Protesting at sports events became infamous when NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the anthem in 2016. Since then the act has become a sign of protest against social injustices and inspired more athletes to stand for their beliefs. Many misinterpreted the protest citing it as disrespect towards the country, military, and the martyrs, despite Kaepernick’s own words explaining the reason for the protest. The intent of athlete #activism is more focused on bringing racially charged discriminations and unjust treatment of minorities to the center stage.
Athletes and teams have taken cues from Minnesota and joined them in their own ways. Many star athletes like LeBron James were mocked for advocating against racial discrimination and police violence under the guise of keeping politics and sports separate. Regarding the death of George Floyd, James shared a meme showing the side-by-side images of the police officer suffocating Floyd with Colin Kaepernick taking a knee, using the caption “This...Is Why,” indicating the protests were against police treatment of minorities. The athletes’ activism is not misplaced or flawed, rather it's well within their constitutional rights.
Sports activism has had a mighty presence throughout the years from Mohammed Ali, John Carlos, Jim Brown, Steve Kerr, and Greg Popovich to LeBron James and Colin Kaepernick. The activism is confined to first amendment rights and human equality. There is no political agenda or drive beyond human rights.
If phrases like “Vote” and “I can’t breathe” printed on a basketball player’s shirt inflames a former president and his associates, it’s not Minnesota sports that are politicized. Criticizing athletes for exercising their right to free speech and using their platform to bring attention to important issues to them censorship. “Stick to sports” is a painfully outdated concept. Black people and athletes in general are not here to entertain us and stay silent. They are Americans with the same rights to protest as anyone else.
