Racism is prevalent in today’s society and is exposed in the sports industry as well. Various athletes in different sports field experience racism and face it everyday. Social media is a big platform for people to criticize athletes for their failures and success. On the other hand more times than not, racism can be found within the head of organizations of major sports, most noticeably football. The NFL has condoned an abundance of racist actions towards players of Hispanic and African American descent; therefore, the NFL should stop these problems by supporting athletes that take a stand, holding the NFL owners accountable for their actions, and finally, not stereotyping young black athletes into a position based off of racial factors. An organization like the NFL needs to support their athletes when they decide to exercise their 1st amendment rights. For example, a current event that has ravished the mainstream media would be over the controversy with Colin Kaepernick. There are 64 quarterbacks total in the NFL at the time, Kaepernick not being one of them. At the end of the season Kaepernick had a passer rating of 90.7 “(ESPN, 2016)”. That was better than ten starting quarterbacks in the league at that time. Also, to add to his resume he only threw four interceptions during the season. His stats prove that he’s a proven NFL starter and his trip to the Superbowl in 2013 are examples of why he should be added to any NFL roster. Why isn’t he on a roster? It’s primarily
The National Football League has had more political issues in recent years than ever before. In the article ”Politics Has Always Had a Place in Football” by Samuel G. Freedman, a former columnist on religious issues for The Times, explains his article in terms of reasoning, evidence, and persuasive elements. He goes into why there is such an unusual insertion of politics and race discrimination in the NFL. Author Freedman uses examples of when African Americans were first allowed in the NFL as players, and then soon after, promoted to managers and owners. Other examples of civil rights being inserted into our current climate include Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem before games.
Abstract This paper will focus on the dilemma surrounding the National Football Association (NFL) and The National Anthem. The dilemma was brought about by Colin Kaepernick the former quarterback of the San Francisco Forty-niners. In 2016, Colin began a quiet demonstration by kneeling during the National Anthem.
Author Peter S. Morris once said, “If baseball is America’s favorite pastime, then football must be its passion” (Morris, 2004). Throughout the years, the sport of football has risen through the ranks to become the spectator sport in North America. Football has been interwoven into the “American psyche” and culture. Millions of dedicated and loyal fans keenly await the chance to pack out stadiums at the beginning of each National Football League (NFL) season. They stare into the dazzling field lights, clothe themselves in paraphernalia, and wildly cheer on the players of their chosen team. Football has become a part of the American life. The NFL embodies the “fun” in American society. It is seventeen weeks filled with excitement, high spirits, and a competitive atmosphere. A piece of American society that isn’t so jubilant has been making serious headlines as of lately. These series of incidents have been a Public Relations nightmare for the beloved league. The use of racial slurs both on the field and off the field by NFL players is an issue that, until recently, was not openly discussed in the sport. The number of "incidents" has gradually increased throughout the years. As a solution to this growing problem, NFL committees have recently decided to impose a 15 yard penalty on any and all players that use the racial slur “Nigga(er)” while playing the game. The racial tension in the NFL, the pros of the new penalty, and the cons of the new penalty are certainly worth
Without a doubt, we look at athletes today and from the past as if they are larger than life individuals. They show their personality through talent no matter what they play; some are better than others, for example some can kick or throw. However, at the end of the day they all have a different voice and a different story. People expect them to turn a blind eye to everyday events because of their status. People think of athletes as celebrities, they say they do not go through the same struggles as everyday people. That statement is far from the truth when it pertains to the issue of racism. Racism has been an unresolved problem for years whether it is in sports or athletes speaking for what they believe. Racism has had a big impact on sports such as Germany hosting the olympics and cheating, N.B.A. owners thinking they rule over their players, and the hidden discrimination that happens in locker rooms. Many times athletes have stood up for what they believed just to be shot down. Nowhere in their contracts does it state that because they are professionals that they must compromise their freedom of speech. Whether it be refusing to meet with the president, speaking out on racial injustices, or not standing for the national anthem, athletes have a strong voice in the fight against discrimination and other traumatic events. The fight for equality in sports and throughout America is a process that includes multiple organizations, the reaction of authority figures, and
Today in America the word Racism is taken to a whole new level. Even in sports, such as the NFL racism prospers. For instance the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Native Americans are trying to say the NFL is being rude for naming a Team Redskins. The Redskins have had that name since 1933 (Staff). The team had the name of Braves before they adopted the name Redskins. It was changed due to racism purposes. Some people would agree that the whole situation with Redskins is ridiculous because The Major League Baseball series has two teams related to Native Americans, The Atlanta Braves and The Cleveland Indians. The NFL also has more than just Redskins. They have the Kansas City Chiefs. So if they are really worried about
Racism is an evolving problem that we have face in our society for generations. This issue is evolving because it opens itself to all components of life. Sport is no stranger to involvement with racism, in fact it has been a platform which sparks change or intensifies the state of racism in society. Racism refers to the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races (Oxford Dictionary). Historically racism is an ideology systematically developed as the Europeans made their journey to the New World to explore and colonized the globe and the differences in it. This Great expedition was the excuse used to justify colonialism, slavery and genocide. This racial ideology has manifested itself in to the sports world in creating the modern-day apartheid which resides in the form of the black athlete in the major conferences of the NCAA. In this paper, I will be breaking down: the systemic institution of the NCAA, the generational racism the black athlete faces and the intuitional racism faced on campus to prove the existence of modern day apartheid.
During last year’s football season, former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, Colin Kaepernick, drew lots of attention when he kneeled during the playing of the national anthem. He was the first player to participate in this controversial anthem demonstration, calling attention to what he said was the racial oppression and fatal shootings by the police of African-Americans. This action has sparked many of the NFL players who are now kneeling during the playing of the national anthem. Many people are outraged by the players behavior. Two weeks ago President Trump made a tweet urging team owners to fire players who did not stand for the national anthem. The NFL had appeared to be one big family as many players and coaches locked arms and
Controversy at the 1968 Olympics! At the 1968 Olympic games a track runner by the
The NAACP advocates in many different facets for the advancement of colored people. A recent press release examined the issue of freedom of speech and expression by African Americans. The press release I read this week explained the issue that arose when NFL player Colin Kaepernick decided to use his professional athletic platform to protest police brutality on African Americans. Kaepernick’s stance was followed by an alarming disagreement from Dallas Cowboys coach, Jerry Jones, who stated that the members on his team who do not stand for the national anthem will not take the field. The NAACP responded to assert that African American athletes have the right to freedom of speech and expression just as all other citizens. The NAACP points out
All around the world, people face problems in sports. These problems range from a coach deciding who will make their team to physical fights in major, professional sports. One of the most common problems in sports is racism against African Americans and minorities. The racism in sports leads to many conflicts within players, coaches, and even fans. Fortunately, there are associations created to put an end to this hostility. The NCARASM, FARE, and Football United are organized to help prevent racism-related conflicts from happening in the sports industry.
Black students account nationally for 34% of all suspensions (Mazama). Black students in America are faced with a struggle as they begin to go into school systems. Some students will go into an urban school system and will be surrounded by many minorities and others will attend rural school areas in the south. African American students who live in the south experience a great amount of racism from their peers, their peers parents, teachers, and other school officials. The issue occurs when students of a majority race don't know how to communicate or peacefully get along with students of a minority race. This can be an act of calling a student out of their name or acting violently towards them. Students should not have to worry about whether they are safe at school all because of something they can’t help. Racism needs to be taken out of schools all across the the world. They way we do this is to educate students about black history and how their actions may trigger a student of color.
Racism is very much still active and thriving in all parts of United States. While, it may not be as upfront and life threatening as it was back in the early 1900’s it is surprisingly still an issue we face on a day to day basis. Racism is always an extremely sensitive subject when discussed around a diverse group of individuals but does it have to be? Most white Americans tend to believe racism is a thing of the past and tend to downplay non-white Americans point of views when they speak of racial discrimination. Americans pride themselves by saying they only see one color “the human race” but why do we all have to be the same? Why can’t we all be different hues from different backgrounds and still be loved equally? While majority of public racism may have died in the 1960’s, non-whites know silent racism is very much still alive and ruining lives left and right. All Americans need to open their eyes and realize silent racism is the new racism and its affecting non-whites in all areas, the most damaging being racial profiling and discrimination in the workplace.
Do you have a passion, something you love to do more than anything? Imagine people trying to stop you from doing what you love because they think it’s not useful or a waste. Some people say competitive sports cost too much and they are way too dangerous for young kids to participate in. However, for many youth, competitive sports play a positive role. When kids play competitive sports, they are happier and they learn how to be healthy. Also, they learn life lessons that they will need for the future.
Will you able to function if you lived in another race’s shoes? Will you be able to function and deal with consequences of being the other race?When we were all fetuses in our mom’s tummy we as humans are not given the options to chose our race. Yet we are still being ridiculed from what we are born with. Racism is one of many elements that in the United States of America affects our society. However, there is a hidden problem that promotes racism. It is the fact that a lot of people try to make themselves believe that racism doesn 't exist. But unfortunately, it still does. Everyone knows about the problem of racism but don 't realize that they are supporting the problem by discriminating against other people 's rights but at the same
You are absolutely right about the need for people to get their houses in order before that day when we are called home. I will never be able to understand completely how one man could have ever considered himself better than another man based on the tone of one's skin. I would like to think racism has all but fallen by the wayside in the 55 years since the Civil Rights Movement in this country. Or am I to believe that racism is worse now than it was in 1964 and prior? Truthfully I have seen no evidence that supports this claim. To your statement. "I dislike the fact that racism existed and still does and no matter who we are, we are either blind or refuse to meet on a mutual platform, to be honest, and discuss the issue." Mr. Mosely, I'm not certain how we would go about having this discussion. I say that because if there is racism that you are seeing on a daily basis, then, by all means, my brother, tell me where to meet you and we'll go put an end to it together. There is no place for hate and bigotry in this great nation of ours. So give me an example of systemic racism and I will, this day, come to stand by your side and we will rain havoc as one to bring to light that which is done in the dark. But if you are asking me to blindly concede that there is large scale racism in this country as a prerequisite to you and I having a conversation about it then I'll have to agree, we can't have that conversation. What I'm trying to say is if we are going to have an honest