How Sports Activism is Leading Social Change Through Voter Participation
At the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida, players take the court for pre-game shootarounds as LED screens read “Register to Vote” while t-shirts are worn with the message of “Black Lives Matter” printed across players chests. Later, coaches and players lock arms and kneel in solidarity during the duration of the National Anthem.
Due to constant police brutality against Black Americans, sports leagues and athletes are using their platform to promote the need for change and fight racial injustice in midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite criticism, players have expressed the importance of voting during the upcoming election as their role in politics is once again at the center of the public eye.
Athletes believe they play a vital role in activism and have exercised their freedom of expression. They’ve been involved in marches, protests, fashion statements, and social media stances during the fight for racial equality.
Players have been scrutinized by critics, who believe that sports and politics should not be linked. In 2018, Fox News journalist Laura Ingraham criticized LeBron James for his comments against President Donald Trump. She responded to James by telling him to ‘shut up and dribble’. Ingraham’s statement came with backlash as many viewed it as a form of racism, according to Boston.com.
“We will definitely not shut up and dribble,” James said during a 2018 interview.” I mean too much to society. I mean too much to the youth. I mean too much to so many kids that feel like they don’t have a way out and they need someone to help lead them out of the situation they’re in.”
The deaths of Black Americans such as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police have prompted athletes to use their voice in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Despite being 13% of the overall population, Black individuals have comprised of the 28% that have been killed by police in 2020, according to Mapping Police Violence.
On August 27, the Milwaukee Bucks protested their playoff game against the Orlando Magic due to the police shooting of Jacob Blake. The rest of the league did the same which led to a boycott of the NBA season.
According to CBS Sports, the season resumed through an agreement between players and the league to display the importance of civic engagement through broadcasting, advocating social justice reform, and transforming arenas into voting centers during the upcoming election.
Throughout various sports leagues, voting programs have been created with the goal of increasing voter turnout. During the 2016 Presidential Election, 60% of eligible voters casted their ballots as reported by the Business Insider.
LeBron James and other athletes, such as Patrick Mahomes and David Price, are participating in a new organization, called More Than a Vote, with the purpose of fighting voter suppression and protecting voting rights for African Americans as reported by The New York Times. A part of the group’s efforts is to encourage voter registration and participation amongst African Americans during the election.
Across the country, there has been concern over the shortage of poll workers due to the fear of contracting the coronavirus pandemic as reported by CBS News. The initiative has garnered 20,000 volunteers to serve as poll workers according to an Instagram post by More Than A Vote.
The NFL has established the “NFL Votes” campaign that also promotes voter participation. According to a statement by the NFL, the focal point of the initiative will be based on “voter education, voter registration, and voter activation”.
“We’re launching NFL Votes to inspire everyone in the NFL family — including our fans — to participate in the civic process by getting registered to vote and ultimately exercising their right to vote,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.
Social Media has been utilized as a tool to encourage participation during the election with former and current NBA players posting resources and taking part in challenges such as the #MyStartingFive Challenge. The challenge comprises of nominating five people in registering and taking part in voting.
Players are continuing to advocate social change and create initiatives to promote the importance of civic engagement during the 2020 presidential election.
“November is right around the corner and it’s a big moment for us as Americans,” Lebron James told reporters. “We talk about we want better, we want change, [and] we will have (that opportunity).”
