Many people feel that athletes have a voice. Especially players like LeBron and Kobe who dominate their sport. They think that because they have a voice that many will listen and go with the choices these athletes have chosen. Think about it, when an athlete promotes a new shoe or some different type of merchandise, people want to buy it. It is a part of our popular culture today that many fans of these athletes will do and support what their favorite athlete does. Does this mean that athletes she voice their opinions in politics. This blogger thinks absolutely not. Athletes I agree have a major impact on society and can convince people to do something if they step up and support it. But, what if that isn't their personality. An athlete chose to dribble a basketball, shot a puck, throw a football, or hit a baseball. They never signed their contract saying you must be a part of the political world to. In many ways Michael Jordan might have stayed out of it to save advertisement and to prevent the lost of customers, but it is a personal choice if he decides to keep quiet. Forcing someone to speak on a subject they don't feel comfortable about or have no response to shouldn't be made as such a big deal. By Jordan taking a stand, I gained a lot more respect for him as a person and really shows his individualism. Because others superstars may have felt obligated to partake in the political world. If athletes decide to speak on the matter then we can respect what they have to say and listen, but if they don't want to then let them move on with their lives without facing the constant harassment that they did the wrong thing by keeping their mouth shut.
3 comments:
I agree with you, I do not find it right to make athletes talk about a certain subject. In a press conference, if a question is asked that the person does not want to answer, they say no comment and we all move on. How come just because it is politics these athletes are being looked down upon? I feel like I wouldn't even care about what Kobe or Lebron have to say about political issues. Nobody out there knows how valid their points can be or if they have any knowledge towards different issues. They live their life for a sport and it should stay that way.
The media is looking for a story. It all comes down to that simple fact. I agree it is not right to have athletes forced to reveal their political opinions. There is no obligation on you and I, so why on an athlete? Is he not human like you and I? Exactly. Unfortunately, the idea of silence in the journalism world sparks reporters into believing there is a controversy.
I completely agree Nick. The words athletes and politicians have no direct or indirect relation, so why do we look so often expect athletes to discuss politics? Is it fair to believe that someone so busy with their career in sports, can all the while be so in touch with political issues that the can speak on it? I don't think it is. Politics exist in sports with the administration but it has nothing to do with the law and everything to do with money. We need to understand that ethics and politics are two different things and stop looking at athletes to address political ethic issues.
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