Controlling Actions

The role of an athlete is like that of any other citizen except their jobs might be a little bit more exciting. The way that athletes choose to represent themselves whether it is coming off of success or anger is what makes them human. Still people are trying to control athletes as if they are these made-up characters for the amusement of the audience. In Morgan Jerkins's article, What Colin Kaepernick’s National Anthem Protest Tells Us About America, and Greg Howard's article, Richard Sherman And The Plight Of The Conquering Negro, explore how two different reactions to two different subjects have been scorned by people because it is not in line with their views. 

Jerkins discusses how Kaepernick's seemingly peaceful protest was met with such hate that you would think that he was torturing people in order to make a statement. Jerkins described the act as, "When Kaepernick chose to remain seated for the National Anthem, he chose to channel his aggression traditionally demonstrated through football and turn the focus in order to make a politically charged statement". The statement is one that should have brought no repercussions as the goal was to bring awareness to a rising issue. Much of the public and even team owners decided that this was more treason than activism for the plight of a people. These people had hoped to silence a man that they had hoped would not garner followers, but now he has more support than ever as people are starting to see that his cause is more just than the brooding silence of a conflicted man. The case of Richard Sherman is much different as his emotions take over after a triumphant performance.

Howard demonstrates how the comments of Richard Sherman have disrupted a fan-base that favors the white players over the players of color and why they should know their place. Howard specifically talks about black athletes and states, "When you're a public figure, there are rules. Here's one: A public personality can be black, talented, or arrogant, but he can't be any more than two of these traits at a time". These traits have been ingrained into the sports rhetoric even though nowadays Muhammad Ali is beloved when he was acting in a similar manner. This emotional outburst is not unusual in sports as players are going to be feeling a high when they are playing at their best. The fact that people are trying to patrol emotions is dystopian to say the least as they want these players to be husks for their pleasure. Although Sherman was not political in his post-game statement, it was met with similar backlash that had swept up Kaepernick. 

Often people forget that athletes are not the puppets that they want them to be. To express opinions and make stances is about being human and more importantly exercising freedom in a country that claims it. This is not the stance that many choose because they view these people as being disconnected form the situation due to a a class difference. The idea that more money means that the understanding of a situation is past their view is ridiculous. This toxicity revels in the individuals that have been fed the poison that blocks anyone not a part of a group to understand injustice.