(ThyBlackMan.com) “I miss the days when #athletes entertained us with the athletic ability, and didn’t bore us with their political opinions! I know the American ?? sports fans will greatly appreciate it! Please @MLB @NHL @NBA @NFL @espn leave politics out of sports!”
Former Major League Baseball player Aubrey Huff tweeted the above message as a response to several Boston Red Sox players opting to skip a trip to the Whitehouse. Aubrey Huff represents the view of a lot of Trump supporters I’ve encountered since athletes have been move vocal in their protest of this administration. I don’t like this take, but it’s not inherently trash.
When I watch a game, I want the announcers to offer commentary based on the possible strategies that could be employed and any locker room, or behind the scenes, drama that could affect the game play. Sports are one of the few parts of our culture that can unite people from different backgrounds.
There’s nothing wrong with someone using sports as a diversion from the day-to-day pressures of life. All of us need down time, but this point of view becomes problematic when it seeks to silence reasonable criticisms and commentary about issues that affect everyday people. Athletes skipping trips to the Whitehouse is like kneeling during the National Anthem. It’s an extension of silent protest.
Athletes, like anyone in the public eye, are often asked questions about topics outside of their professional purview. This is normal. Athletes are allowed to have opinions; they, like everyone else in our society, are entitled to share those opinions. Granted, they do so at the risk of potentially alienating some of their fans, but some have decided their principles are more important than the adulation of fans.
The Aubrey Huff’s of the world will always place their comfort ahead of the suffering of others. Being an athlete doesn’t insulate a person from racism, bigotry or xenophobia, nor does it mean they have to ignore it.
Using celebrity to magnify a cause has and always will be an effective way of getting people to pay attention to the suffering of disadvantaged people. One doesn’t have to be overtly oppressed to have empathy for people who are.
His comparing the last two president’s politics is folly. Athletes of color aren’t protesting Donald Trump because of tax policy or where he stands on infrastructure spending. They have seen his disdain for anyone who isn’t white and refuse to legitimize his bigotry. Ignoring the president’s words and actions are a luxury people of color don’t have. There has been a serious spike in hate crimes under the Trump administration.
Talking about this is exhausting. It shouldn’t be this hard to get decent people to recognize the constant dehumanization people of color have faced at the hands of this administration. The sad truth is that a lot of people have sought to disconnect his rhetoric from the real violence it has inspired.
Being Labeled a “social justice warrior” isn’t an insult; it’s a badge of honor. Fighting for equality is serious business. People have lost friendships, money, their freedom and their lives standing up for the dignity of others. We are allowed to disagree about politics, but we should all agree that people have a right to stand on their principles. Social justice warrior is only a pejorative if we fall into the trap of believing it is.
Staff Writer; Danny Cardwell
Official website; http://Thoughtwrestler.blogspot.com
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