I found this article on the web, and thought I would share it. I wanted the reader to realize that people for many years in places of influence have used their platforms to express their views on injustices. In llight of all the controversy concerning protest like the latest in the NFL. I thought it very important to note that this is nothing new as it pertains to injustices in the lives of people of color in this country. I would hope that the protest today would not stop with NFL players, or players of the NBA or in the sports world in general. As long as people are being treated with disrespect, killed senselessly, and cops not being held accountable for it, then I say let the protest continue. Hope this helps to enlighten those who read to know this is not the beginning, nor will it be the end of political and social stands. We live in a country that has taxation without representation. The rich only care about making money so, as lont as we continue to spend money allowing them to make more money then we are not making a stand. They must know that the black dollar makes themmoney so, we must be represented at the table, or we will break them financially. Them meaning all the rich league owners (for example) who want us to just shut up and go away talking about racal injustice. These NFL owners need to take a page out of the 49ers book, and follow their lead. When Collin Kaepernicktook a knee they stood behind him, and made progress in the communities suround San Franscico. This is what can happen with political, and sccisl rebeliaon. I say "let the protest continue!"
Tommie Smith and John Carlos' Black Power Salute
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The image is one of the most famous in sports history: two American track and field athletes stand atop the medal platform, their heads bowed and their right hands raised to the sky, fists clenched in protest.
At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics American sprinter Tommie Smith won the 200 meter race and fellow countryman John Carlos came in third.
The athletes received their medals and took the the platform for the national anthem. When the Star Spangled Banner began both Carlos and Smith performed the "Black Power salute."
They were roundly booed when they left the platform.
Carlos and Smith were protesting the treatment of black Americans and other minorities in the United States
Both athletes were expelled from the games and roundly criticized for their actions.
Smith and Carlos both went on to play in the NFL.
Their use of the Olympic platform to express their protest still inspires debate.
Sports Illustrated reported that the photograph of their protest was the most reproduced image in the history of the Olympics.
of jersey was a political statement.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf's Silent Prayer
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Chris Wayne Johnson of LSU was the highly touted, third overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft.
During his first season with the Denver Nuggets, Johnson converted to Islam and changed his name to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
Abdul-Rauf had a productive first few seasons in Denver, including setting the NBA single season record for highest free throw percentage.
However it was something else that Abdul-Rauf did with his hands which brought him national attention.
Starting in 1996 Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for "The Star-Spangled Banner" before NBA games. Abdul-Rauf said that he saw the flag as a symbol of oppression. He believed the United States was an unjust tyranny and therefore in conflict with his Islamic beliefs.
NBA commissioner David Stern did not like this belief. He suspended Abdul-Rauf for one game in March 1996.
Abdul-Rauf and the NBA then worked out an compromise. Abdul-Rauf would agree to stand for the national anthem but he would be allowed to bow his head, close his eyes and recite a Muslin prayer.
After these events many NBA teams considered Abdul-Rauf too controversial a player to employee.
After his 1996 suspension, he played three more NBA seasons, starting in only 62 more games.
Olympic Boycotts
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Despite the Olympics oft-repeated claim of being non-political, the international sporting event has long been an avenue for individuals and countries to make major political and social statements.
On several occasions entire counties have used a boycott of the Olympics Games to express their protest.
In 1908, Irish athletes boycotted the London games because of Britain's refusal to grant Irish independence.
In 1980, 62 countries led by the United States of America boycotted the Moscow summer Olympics after the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on Christmas 1979. The decision was not one made by American athletes. It was made by President Jimmy Carter and the decision was one of the least popular ones Carter ever made during his presidency.
In response the Soviet Union and other Warsaw pact members, organized a boycott of the 1984 summer Olympics in Los Angeles. .
Muhammad Ali Refuses Army Induction
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Muhammad Ali was the heavyweight champion of the world in 1967. He was one of the most famous and recognizable athletes in the world.
In 1967 the United States was also deeply engulfed in the Vietnam war.
Ali was drafted to the join the fight. He refused enlistment.
Ali's stand was based on his beliefs as a Muslim and his stated opposition to the Vietnam war.
Ali was promptly arrested and later found guilty of draft evasion. He was stripped of his title and had his fighting license suspened. Ali did not fight for three years.
In 1971 the Supreme court overruled his conviction. In 1975 he regained the heavyweight title after defeating George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire.
Ali's decision to refuse induction is the most famous case of an individual athlete making a major political statement. His decision was a lighting rod for discussion regarding the Vietnam war and the draft.
At the time polls should a majority of American's disagreed with Ali's refusal to serve. However in the decades which followed, Ali's stance has taken on the romantic ideal of an individual standing up for his ideals and against war.
Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson Break Baseball's Color Barrier
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In 1946, Brooklyn Dodgers general manager and president, Branch Rickey signed Jackie Robinson to a minor league baseball contract.
It was one of the most important moments in the history of American sport (if not the history of America).
Rickey was a former baseball player, turned executive, who had been looking for a chance to re-integrate the game of baseball for years.
In the wake of World War II, and in the body and mind of Jackie Robinson, he found his central player.
Robinson became the first African-American to play professional baseball in nearly 50 years. His signing broke baseball's color barrier and caused ripples around the country.
Robinson debuted for the Dodgers in 1947 and proved himself to be one of the finest baseball players of his generation. Within ten years black Americans were freely able to participate in baseball at its highest levels.
Rickey's 1946 decision came eight years ahead of Rosia Parks and ten years before the Reverand Martin Luther King appeared on the national stage.
Rickey carefully selected Robinson because of his abilities and more importantly, his faith and demeanor. They both knew what was at stake for them, their game and Robinson's race.
Rickey and Robinson had an impact on the world of baseball, sport and America like no athlete before and since. Their example will stand for generations to study and admire.
A Call to Civility and Maturity
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Sports and politics rarely meet under good terms. Someone is always standing on the other side of an issue.
Though we look at Jackie Robinson's behavior as heroic, he and Branch Rickey were villains to many people in 1947.
Public displays and expression of religion from athletes like Tim Tebow, Shawn Green, Albert Pujols, Eric Liddell or Muhmoud Abdul-Rauf, always make those who don't subscribe to those beliefs uncomfortable. Religion is a difficult subject to discuss in ones home, it's even harder to do with respect and decency in a competitive, highly emotional arena like sports.
Protest is protest, because it usually stands against a majority. As such the voices deriding it are often louder than those supporting it.
Regardless, the United States of America should always stand as a land where athletes can express their political, social or religious beliefs with freedom.
In each case a careful examination of the circumstances, the athletes personal statements and the issues involved should be deeply examined before we begin condemning athletes for daring to have an opinion we don't like.
We would like our athletes to be non-political persons solely devoted to our team's victory on the field. This is selfish thinking. They are fully formed individuals with ideas, hopes and beliefs. We should allow them to be so, even if it "interferes" with the games we have the freedom to enjoy.
Where ever possible I have endeavored to be honest and complete with the facts in this slide show.
That being said, I'm sure there are mistakes or slight misrepresentations contained within it.
If you feel the need to comment please be respectful.
I'd also like to encourage mention of important events I've missed. It's always nice to learn about moments when sport meant more than just who won and lost on the field.
As alwasy have a great day!
D