It’s all one ugly mess. Tempers are flaring. Anger is rising. Nothing seems to be getting better. In fact, racial discrimination in America is only taking a turn for the worst. As African-American athletes are taking initiative to raise awareness about racial discrimination, many white Americans are speaking out and denouncing such actions. They are claiming that these acts of protest are disrespectful and contemptuous to our nation, but players are far from giving up to stand for what they believe in. How should people react to athletes in major sports leagues that protest for racial equality?
First of all, a “protest” is defined as an expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent in opposition to something or someone. Often times, the word is commonly confused with “riot,” which is very dissimilar. Protesting is an …show more content…
Ask anyone who’s even the slightest bit interested in basketball, and he/she will know who LeBron is. Already being acknowledged as a future hall of famer, he has earned respect from coaches, managers, players, and fans from across the world. This past July, he had the privilege of being one of the many valuable speakers for the ESPYS, an awards show for hundreds of famous athletes in a variety of sports ranging from football to water polo. In his speech, he thoroughly and carefully spoke against social activism and racial discrimination. Immediately following his message, the audience of thousands in front of him had risen and applauded as if the president had just spoken.
In contrast, there’s Colin Kaepernick. Before his acts of protest, you may have never heard of him before - not even some faithful football fans were aware that he even existed. He is not deemed as a “superstar quarterback”. In fact, he doesn’t even start for his team, the San Francisco 49ers. Disturbed by events such as the death of Michael Brown or Trayvon Martin, he has decided to take leadership in a unique way to capture the focus of
First of all, a “protest” is defined as an expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent in opposition to something or someone. Often times, the word is commonly confused with “riot,” which is very dissimilar. Protesting is an …show more content…
Ask anyone who’s even the slightest bit interested in basketball, and he/she will know who LeBron is. Already being acknowledged as a future hall of famer, he has earned respect from coaches, managers, players, and fans from across the world. This past July, he had the privilege of being one of the many valuable speakers for the ESPYS, an awards show for hundreds of famous athletes in a variety of sports ranging from football to water polo. In his speech, he thoroughly and carefully spoke against social activism and racial discrimination. Immediately following his message, the audience of thousands in front of him had risen and applauded as if the president had just spoken.
In contrast, there’s Colin Kaepernick. Before his acts of protest, you may have never heard of him before - not even some faithful football fans were aware that he even existed. He is not deemed as a “superstar quarterback”. In fact, he doesn’t even start for his team, the San Francisco 49ers. Disturbed by events such as the death of Michael Brown or Trayvon Martin, he has decided to take leadership in a unique way to capture the focus of