Vol. 27 No. 292 (2022)
Bill Russell, athlete and social leader
A few days ago Bill Russell died. He is one of the most outstanding basketball players in history, but also one of the most relevant athletes in the fight against discrimination to Afro-Americans. Along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and other social leaders he accompanied Muhammad Ali on the day he refused to be drafted into the army. In the toughest years of civil rights demands in the United States, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Rosa Parks drew a path for this oppressed community to follow. The sports world was not immune to these struggles, with figures such as Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising their fist in protest on the podium at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
Angela Davis - North American philosopher and activist - affirms that the history of blacks is in fact the history of the United States, but it is also the history of the world. In our times, unfortunately, racism is still active. In 2013 Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi and Patrisse Cullors promoted the Black Lives Matter slogan, in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin's killer. In 2016 Colin Kaepernick, an American football star, sat and later knelt during the anthem as a protest gesture, generating an impact that moved global society.
It is hopeful to see athletes who commit themselves and decisively face injustice. They are figures that influence a large part of society and become true social leaders. Sport is not only entertainment, it is also a way to achieve a better, fairer and more supportive world. Something that coaches should take note of when thinking about training processes.
Tulio Guterman, Director - September 2022
Published:
2022-09-09
