The ugly world of politics has
officially infiltrated the world of sports. It’s ridiculous, yet, not shocking. In a time of our nation being more
divided than ever, with questionable leadership, closest racists coming out of
hiding, and the natural disasters literally
wiping out peoples once normal lives,
why is it that one of the few enjoyable forms of entertainment, sports, now a
political matter?
Awhile back Colin Kaepernick
stirred things up when he decided not to stand, but instead take a knee and
kneel, in protest of the national anthem. When he did this it not only caused
controversy, but it cost him his job. To date, he still remains unsigned to an
NFL team. And what’s wild is he’s way too talented to not be signed. Plus, he’s
a babe. I mean, come on, there’s nothing sexier than a hot guy standing up for
what he believes in, or in Colin’s case, protesting. However, he made a choice and
is living with the consequences. In an age of protests, speaking out, and taking
a stand against prejudice and social injustice, politics have crept into the
sports world. I believe that politics and sports don’t mix. Especially, when
it gets to a place where leadership is revoking invitations to our nation’s
capital, insulting professional athletes on social media, and stating that
athletes who participate in protests should be fired. Crazy as it sounds; it’s
the reality of how much things have shifted.
Michael
Jordan stated that, “One of the fundamental
rights this country is founded on was freedom of speech, and we have a long
tradition of nonviolent, peaceful protest. Those who exercise the right to
peacefully express themselves should not be demonized or ostracized. At a time
of increasing divisiveness and hate in this country, we should be looking for
ways to work together and support each other and not create more division.”
Taking a stand against injustice
is important, and no one, not even athletes, should be threatened with
termination for protesting, especially if no one is being put in danger or harm’s
way. Not to throw shade, but there have been professional athletes who’ve done
far worse things and gotten off the hook. The silver lining in all this is that
the recent protests have sparked an important conversation in the sports world,
and given people a lot to think about. It’s refreshing to see professional
athletes standing together in unity, instead of divided about the matter. On
the other side of that, some people are arguing, throwing salt, and turning
things into a political argument. Should so much attention be put on trivial
matters, while families in different areas all over the world are trying to
recover from natural disasters and piece together what’s left of their once
normal lives, or is it best to fight about athletes protests, declining and
revoking invitations, and who’s right and who’s wrong?