There is a time and there is a place for everything. That doesn’t mean anytime and everyplace.
LIMA, PERU – AUGUST 09: Gold medalist Race Imboden of United States takes a knee during the National Anthem Ceremony in the podium of Fencing Men’s Foil Team Gold Medal Match Match on Day 14 of Lima 2019 Pan American Games at Fencing Pavilion of Lima Convention Center on August 09, 2019 in Lima, Peru. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)
Controversy emerged recently at the Pan American games when fencer Race Imboden took a knee during the playing of the National Anthem. Hammer thrower Gwen Berry raised her fist during the medals ceremony.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) wasn’t pleased and is considering imposing sanctions on the athletes. That possibility brought counter-responses, including Sally Jenkins’ reply. “An organization that couldn’t bring itself to move against child molester Larry Nassar for allegations of abusing gymnasts suddenly wants to sanction athletes for acts of conscience? It’s laughable, “Jenkins wrote, “deserving only of a derisive snort.”
I share Jenkins’ angst about the USOPC, but my concern is different from hers and, with that, I settle in a different place.
Here’s my take. The Pan American Games is an athletic function. It should be about athletics and athletics only.
I’m mindful of the rich history of athletic protests in the country. I’m also glad that contemporary athletes are speaking out and taking stands on social issues. I’m just not a fan of blending activism with athletics during sporting events.
It’s not because I believe athletics are a diversion from everyday life. And it’s not a criticism of what athletes are protesting. I say it because the function (protest) doesn’t fit the form (athletic event).
Think of what might happen at your workplace (form) if you engaged in political behaviors (function)? Voice your opinion—and take action, if you choose—elsewhere.
Joining with others in a strike or protesting a workplace issue, I understand. But that’s not what we’re talking about. We’re talking about social protests. That’s why I wasn’t a fan of NFL game-day protests. But I do appreciate how NFL players organized outside of gameday protests to work together (and with NFL owners) to address issues of mutual concern.
And let me take my thoughts on step further. I don’t like it when sports personalities use media platforms to promulgate their political positions. I have no problem–and how could I?–if they express their voice as private citizens.
New York Post
While I agree with the substance of Jemele Hill’s anti-Trump tweets, I believe those comments were too closely tied to her status (at the time) as an ESPN on-air personality. How so? Her remarks were conveyed on her Twitter account, which also served business purposes.
I also agree with the substance of ESPN’s Dan La Batard’s critique of Trump’s nastiness toward members of ‘The Squad” (“if they don’t like it here, go to where you came”). But I didn’t want to hear that expressed on his show.
Athletes and sports personalities should pursue activism at a distance from athletic events and the workplace. It’s one thing for LeBron to criticize Trump (as he did) in response to interview questions posed on TV’s 60 Minutes. It would be quite another thing if LeBron intentionally used a pre-game interview to ‘go off’ on Trump–knowing full well that microphones and cameras will capture his thoughts.
There’s a time, and there’s a place for everything in life and sports. That doesn’t mean anytime and everyplace.
