91猎奇 Reflects on the History and Future of Athlete Activism
Olympians, athletes, scholars and journalists discussed how the history of athlete activism will influence future waves of social justice at San Jose State University鈥檚 Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change Words to Action: Landmarks and Legacy of Athlete Activism town hall on Oct. 17.
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Photo: Josie Lepe
鈥淟et鈥檚 understand that this is all part of history,鈥� said Harry Edwards, 鈥�64 Sociology, 鈥�16 Honorary Doctorate, founder with Ken Noel, 鈥�66 BA, 鈥�68 MA, Social Science, of the Olympic Project for Human Rights at 91猎奇. 鈥淢ovements are in the DNA of American democracy 鈥� the Abolitionist Movement, the Women鈥檚 Suffragist Movement, the Civil Rights Movement 鈥� They are all an expression of a more perfect union of 鈥榳e the people.鈥欌��
During three sessions, panelists reflected on the history and future of athlete activism. This October marks the 50th anniversary of the historic moment in athlete activism and 91猎奇 history when Tommie Smith, 鈥�69 Social Science, 鈥�05 Honorary Doctorate, and John Carlos, 鈥�05 Honorary Doctorate, raised their fists on the medal stand in Mexico City during the 1968 Olympics to protest racial inequality, drawing international attention to athlete activism and the core goals of the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR).
Photo: Josie Lepe
The Voices of 1968
鈥淚t was in the wake of assassinations, of cities burning 鈥� you need to understand that to understand the depth of their commitment,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淭hese two men, along with Lee Evans, are among the most courageous men I have had the privilege of being associated with and working with.鈥�
Smith said he felt a charge to use his talent and access to the world stage to do something for black students in San Jose and around the world.
鈥淚 was asked to be part of OPHR, to dedicate some part of my running to better America,鈥� Smith said.
Carlos shared the sentiment, adding that their purpose was to bring awareness to social issues.
鈥淲e were like a roadmap鈥攁 new paradigm,鈥� Carlos said. 鈥淟ike with Kaepernick, people said we were anti-flag, anti-military. We wore black gloves because it was the first year the Olympics were televised in color. America had pushed black people down and we were always substandard citizens.鈥�
Wyomia Tyus, the first person to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100-meter dash, was in the stadium the day of Smith and Carlos鈥� victory stand.
鈥淚 can remember it so vividly,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 remember thinking, 鈥榃hat are those guys doing? What is going on at the victory stand?鈥� The stadium got very quiet, then there was booing and cheering. I started thinking, 鈥業 hope nothing happens to them.鈥欌��
Carlos reflected on the influence of his and Smith鈥檚 actions 50 years later.
鈥淥nce you make a statement, if you live or die, they can鈥檛 take the statement away,鈥� he said.
Photo: Josie Lepe
Bridging the Gap: Perspectives on Athlete Activism in an Era of Growth
Bill Rhoden, an award-winning sports journalist, moderated the second panel, Bridging the Gap: Perspectives on Athlete Activism in an Era of Growth.
Long before former San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick ignited controversy by sitting, and then kneeling, during the national anthem, in 1996 then-Denver Nuggets NBA player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf sat out the anthem during a game as he felt it conflicted with his Muslim religion. He was suspended from a game for his actions.
鈥淧eople have a sense that there is a separation of politics and sports,鈥� Abdul-Rauf said. 鈥淏ut if you stand for a flag, that has a political meaning of its own.鈥�
Panelist Toni Thompson-Smith, a former college athlete and activist who now works with the New York Civil Liberties Union, reflected on a recent Nike ad that features Kaepernick.
鈥淲hat is the ad selling?鈥� she asked, invoking a 1970 Gil Scott-Heron song. 鈥淭he revolution will not be televised. It is not selling activism. It is selling inspiration 鈥� If activism becomes profitable, is it still the message that we started out with?鈥�
Photo: Josie Lepe
The Kaepernick Era
During the final panel on The Kaepernick Era journalists and scholars discussed the role of media in the latest wave of athlete activism.
鈥淲e have Colin who makes this move that is important and historic,鈥� said Howard Bryant, senior writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com. 鈥淏ut more important is the reaction to him on both sides and the way so many players decided not to react.鈥�
Nate Boyer, a former active duty Green Beret and former professional football player with the Seattle Seahawks, had his own view on Kaepernick鈥檚 actions. Boyer is credited with encouraging Kaepernick to kneel, rather than sit, during the anthem.
鈥淭he flag is a beacon of hope,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 an oppressive symbol. We need to continue to fight oppression in this country. It鈥檚 got to be with people like Colin Kaepernick to take that lead, to be a voice but also to listen.鈥�
91猎奇 alumnus and a senior writer for ESPN鈥檚 The Undefeated Marc Spears suggested diversifying newsrooms as a way to further conversations.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why Mr. Rhoden is such a legend,鈥� said Spears, 鈥�95 Journalism. 鈥淗e is such a legend. I wanted to be him for so long. There needs to be more Mr. Rhodens and Ms. Rhodens. If there are any women out there that want to be sports journalists, we need those voices.鈥�
The town hall was sponsored in part by the San Francisco 49ers, ESPN and Associated Students of 91猎奇.
About San Jose State University
The founding campus of the 23-campus California State University system, San Jose State provides a comprehensive university education, granting bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in 250 areas of study 鈥� offered through its eight colleges.
With more than 35,000 students and nearly 4,370 employees, San Jose State University continues to be an essential partner in the economic, cultural and social development of Silicon Valley and the state, annually contributing 10,000 graduates to the workforce.
The university is immensely proud of the accomplishments of its more than 260,000 alumni, 60 percent of whom live and work in the Bay Area.
October 17, 2018
