SPEAKING OUT FOR CHANGE
Social activism by athletes took a leap forward in 2016
C.J. McCollum was in the presence of Gregg Popovich twice during the last two weeks of 2016, but failed to express his gratitude to the longtime San Antonio Spurs coach for something unrelated to basketball.
McCollum, the 25-year-old Portland Trail Blazers guard, wanted to make Popovich aware of his adulation. He admired Popovich’s backbone, exhibiting the courage to speak his mind and not be concerned with any repercussions, as Popovich joined professional athletes across America in speaking out against social injustice.
“I am extremely appreciative for all that he’s said and done, not only in off-the-court matters, but with the way he approaches the game,” McCollum said. “The way he teaches and reaches out to people. … He’s got a special skill and a special talent, and the world is a better place because of it.”
Social activism among athletes is nothing new.
Muhammad Ali spoke out. Bill Russell, Jim Brown and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did, too. And who can forget the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City? Tommie Smith and John
Carlos’ raised-fist, “Black Power” humanrights salute during the medal ceremony completely overshadowed the 200-meter event.
Nearly half a century later, a new movement is under way, especially in the NBA. Players such as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul are using their platforms to fight racial
injustice, violence and tension facing America with a new presidential administration taking office Friday.
Where the United States is headed with Donald Trump as its 45th president is a mystery. Will the racial divide, as well as gender and income inequality, intensify or improve? Time will tell.
One thing is certain: Social activism thrived in 2016 throughout professional sports. Athletes are advancing conversations more than ever before, hoping that it will make a difference today and for years to come.
The Popovich effect
Sports Illustrated labeled San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick “the face of athlete social activism in 2016 ” in a recent story.
Kaepernick made headlines by kneeling during the national anthem before an August preseason game. He continued to do so throughout the season.
Kaepernick explained the decision to kneel, instead of stand, during the national anthem, telling NFL.com: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. 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.”
To Kaepernick, the people getting away with murder were police officials. The bodies belonged to Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and Terence Crutcher, all involved in high-profile incidents or shootings with police officers.
Throughout the sports world, opinions on Kaepernick’s actions were mixed. Some supported and joined; others disowned the decision to kneel.
But if Kaepernick is “the face” of athlete activism, Popovich could be considered the face of coaching social activism in 2016.
While Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Detroit Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy also spoke out, it was Popovich whose September comments hit home.
As media crowded around a podium at the Spurs’ practice facility Sept. 26 waiting to speak with Popovich, Watson had already received a sneak preview weeks before when the NBA coaches gathered in Chicago for their annual meeting.
“I knew it was coming,” Watson said. “I thought it was just amazing because so many people run from it.”
When Popovich addressed the topic in late September, he didn’t hold back. Asked about the social climate in America, he labeled race as “the elephant in the room in our country,” adding that “the social situation that we’ve all experienced is absolutely disgusting in a lot of ways.”
Popovich, a retired Air Force captain, supported Kaepernick, who some felt was disrespecting the military with his actions.
“It had nothing to do with his protest,” Popovich said. “In fact, he was able to do what he did because of what the military does for us.”
In addition, Popovich vowed to support any of his players who decided to join Kaepernick’s protest or speak out on social issues.
“My players are engaged citizens who are fully capable of understanding what their values are, what they think is appropriate and inappropriate; what they feel strongly about,” Popovich said. “Whatever action may or may not be taken are their decisions and I’m not going to tell anyone ahead of time that if they don’t do A, B and C, they’re going to be gone or traded. I think that’s ignorant.”
Watson, like McCollum, applauds Popovich for his honesty, and willingness to bring race into the discussion.
“I think Coach Pop has the platform to say what he feels is appropriate,” Watson said. “His mindfulness and awareness of people, even at an older age, and the same way he coaches and the same way he leads his team is he never knows everything. … I think Pop is doing an amazing thing and he’s outspoken about it. More importantly, he’s educating himself about it.”
The education currently taking place revolves around what it’s like to grow up black in America.
When Popovich informed the Suns coach of his current studies, “I kind of smiled,” Watson said.
Popovich didn’t just talk, though. He put his words into action.
Sensing a divide within the country after Trump won the presidential election, Popovich joined political and social activist Cornel West to speak with adults and youth from Sam Houston High School at the Carver Community Center in San Antonio.
One of the missions of the community conversation was to empower the youth in attendance, raising awareness about the importance of education to help navigate the current social climate.
Speaking from the heart
Kaepernick was the subject of national headlines for months, but another event promoting social activism preceded his kneeling.
A little more than a month
following the death of Ali, Castile became the latest victim of police shootings. He was shot and killed on July 6 in Minnesota during a traffic stop by St. Anthony police Officer Jeronimo Yanez, who has been charged with second-degree manslaughter. Castile’s girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, streamed the shooting live on Facebook.
James, Anthony, Paul and Wade had seen enough. Something had to be done. They met with ESPN officials to seek permission to speak before the ESPY Awards show. The NBA stars wanted to send a message to fellow athletes about the state of social injustices and violence plaguing the country. The group challenged more athletes to stand up, speak out and get involved.
“We all feel helpless and frustrated by the violence. We do,” James said at the event. “That’s not acceptable. It’s time to look into the mirror and ask ourselves, ‘What are we doing to create change?’ It’s not about being a role model. It’s not about our responsibility to our tradition of activism.
“I know tonight we’re honoring Muhammad Ali, the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). But to do his legacy any justice, let’s use this moment as a call to action to all professional athletes to educate ourselves, explore these issues, speak up, use our influence and renounce all violence and, most importantly, go back to our communities, invest our time, our resources, help rebuild them, help strengthen them, help change them. We all have to do better.” The impact was immediate. “That was beautiful,” Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. “They did a great job at articulating their feelings, articulating what needed to be said at the time. You could tell it was from the heart.”
Asked what went through his mind before giving his speech, which centered on stopping racial profiling, and gun violence in cities like Chicago, Dallas and Orlando, Fla. — all three cities suffered tragic shootings last year — Wade said: “It’s important. As simple as that. It was an important moment for us to speak. Let our voices be heard. Let our messages be heard for our fellow athletes, but also for the world to hear.”
Asked if he received
any positive feedback or appreciation for using his platform to further advance social activism, Wade said, “I don’t do it for thank-yous. I just continue to do the work and continue to make this world a better place as much as I can. I’ve been given a lot. To much is given, much is required. I’m required to do something.”
A different perspective
As social conversations sparked by black athletes continue, something noticeable has been missing: There aren’t too many white athletes speaking out.
Spurs forward David Lee, one of the less than 50 American-born white players in the NBA, was asked why.
“With the way things are taken out of context, you just hate to say something that would offend people,” Lee said. “I’m in a little bit of a reverse situation. I’m a white guy in a mainly African-American locker room whereas most places African-Americans, they’re the minority in places they work.
“For me, I don’t see things in a (negative way) with it being 2016, now 2017. I look past (negative) stuff and judge people by their character and judge people by their actions. ut to say there is not a big divide in our country, not only with race, but with gender and other different factors, to say that doesn’t exist would be naïve.”
Though Lee, a St. Louis native, doesn’t speak out as much as some of his black counterparts, behind the scenes contributions are his way of combating social injustice. He’s known for giving back to local schools. He also has joined forces with hip-hop artist Nelly for community events.
Starting to heal
Most will remember 2016 as a breakthrough year for social activism among athletes. From the speeches at the ESPYs to Kaepernick to Popovich’s comments, all were considered a step in the right direction for starting and continuing difficult conversations.
“It was good year for us, for sure,” said Wade. “It was good to see a lot of athletes take a stand. Other times, we went through a stage where athletes stayed away from that type of stuff. A lot of political stuff.
“But it was great to see a lot of guys use their voice for things they believed in. That’s all you have to do. You don’t have to be an expert at something. If you believe in something, you do your homework and research on something you stand for, to me, I support that.”
But the work is far from complete. Wade urged athletes to continue using their voice, but also “getting out there and doing the work.”