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Originally Posted by TonyB06
I know of William Rhoden although I haven't read this new book. From what you've written, his premise is on point, however, with the stark difference in political/social activism of today's athletes vs. those of the 60s, 70s. Men like Curt Flood, who basically lost his baseball career in fighting for the right to be a free agent.
Jim Brown, probably the best NFL player in history, in the 60s, helped create the Negro Industrial Economic Union to assist black-owned businesses. Along with men like Wayne Embry, Bill Russell, Hank Aaron, they were really active in trying to take it to the next level, not just in athletic competition but in the community.
...but, hey, at least some of today's athletes make great shoe commerials.  |
I try not to be too harsh on todays athletes (except those of the bling lifestyle). The kind of social activismin the 60's and early '70s was of a different necessity. The institutional racism needed to be attacked. Today's activism needs to be more subtle, nuanced, and focused. Its hard for a man making 40 million, being heroes to white kids, making commercials, etc, to complain about institutional racism. I was dissappointed in Jordan when he did not support Harvey Gantt for Senate, but then again, who are we to demand something of someone that they may not be capable of. Russell, Robinson, and Brown were extremely well educated and from integrated backgrounds, so they were perfect for their chosen protests.
There is more to this argument.....