Sports and Social Progress
Sports continue to play an integral role in Americas evolving Civil Rights Movement. This is a page dedicated to the black athletes who not just broke down barriers in their sports, but also became leaders for racial equality in the United States.
Lets celebrate Black Lives Matter and Black History Month by looking at some of the prominent figures which have come out of the sports world.
Lets celebrate Black Lives Matter and Black History Month by looking at some of the prominent figures which have come out of the sports world.
Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick was the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers football team. He very well could be the most famous modern day athlete to use his influence to bring attention to racial injustice that he sees going on around him. In 2016, as a form of peaceful protest, when everyone in the stadium rose to their feet for the National Anthem, Colin took a knee. When asked why, Colin said he wanted to bring attention to racial inequality, especially police brutality, which continues to exist in America today. This touched off the most recent social movement across the nation which continues to this day. Athletes of all colors, in all different sports, are joining in to show their support for meaningful change in creating a more just society for all. |
Let's take a look at just a few of the black athletes who came before Colin Kaepernick who also used their sports platform to stand up for equality.
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson was a professional baseball player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1947 he became the first African American to play in the Major Leagues- breaking the color barrier that was set in place. Jackie faced tremendous pressure being the first black player in the league. Up until this time, black players had to play in a separate league, called the Negro Leagues. Jackie faced much criticism and hatred from people in and out of baseball who were not open to the idea of an integrated league. Jackie persevered, never giving up knowing he was paving the way for a better future for sports and society. Jackie played 10 years and is looked to as the baseball player who opened the doors for an integrated Major Leagues. If you watch a baseball game today you will find there are ballplayers from all over the world. In addition to breaking down barriers in baseball, Jackie was also a Civil Rights leader during the 1960's. He used his platform to bring attention to larger cultural injustices- fighting for equality in schools, housing, and employment for minorities. Jackie Robinson is an American icon who dedicated his life to helping the minority community fight for the rights they were denied but deserved. |
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Wilma Rudolph
When Wilma Rudolph was 4 years old she was told she would never walk again. Wilma had contracted polio- a common virus of the time which left her left leg paralyzed. For years she used leg braces and stood on the sidelines and watched all the other kids play. Wilma never gave up her dream of one day being able to walk and play sports with her friends. She endured a childhood of racism and poverty, but despite this was slowly able to heal her leg and begin to work on achieving her dreams. With hard work and a dedication which didn't falter, Wilma Rudolph wound up becoming the first woman in the United States to win 3 Gold Medals in the 1960 Olympics. Upon returning to her hometown in Tennessee to celebrate her victories, Wilma used her national success to bring attention to the racism which existed there. She refused to participate in any events which were not fully integrated- she wanted all people to be able to celebrate her accomplishment. Wilma believed in working toward building a future where all people were treated equal and with respect. |
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Muhammad Ali
Cassius Clay, most commonly know as Muhammad Ali, is considered by many to be the best boxer who ever lived. Muhammad Ali used his powerful cultural status for many social causes he saw as unjust. In 1967, he took the bold stance of refusing to be sent off to the Vietnam War- a war he said went against all of his beliefs. He questioned why black soldiers should be sent off to fight a war for America, only to come back to home and be treated as second class citizens. In addition to his anti-war stance, Ali was a champion for African-American's civil rights and spent his life taking up causes which gave representation to minority groups. |
Althea Gibson
Hank Aaron
Jesse Owens
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There are too many black American sports icons to list who have dedicated their lives to trying to improve racial injustices here in the United States. One great place to learn about African American history, as well as African American sports history is the National African American History Museum in Washington DC. Here is a link which will take you to one portion of the museum which is dedicated to celebrating those black athletes who have used their status to advance racial equity in the United States.
National African American History Museum in Washington DC