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Sports and social change: athletes as advocates
Years ago, it may have seemed that sports stars were solely dedicated to their sports career. However, as more emphasis has been put on advocacy in society in general, the sports scene has been influenced as a result. In fact, there have been several instances where pro athletes have stood up for a cause they believe in. In this context, it is worth exploring the relationship between athletes and advocacy.
Firstly, athlete activism can be defined as the active involvement of athletes in social and political issues. This means that pro athletes are using their position and fame to influence others and fight for a just cause. The causes they fight for may be because they have a personal investment in it or they simply want to raise awareness around that specific cause.
One example of an athlete who has stood up for what he believes in is former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. In 2016, this sports star decided to not stand for the national anthem as a protest against the oppression of people of colour which sparked a global political debate that is still relevant even today. Not only did this controversial move lead to him attaining widespread praise, but he was also given awards as a result of what he did.
Furthermore, this advocacy from athletes has not only been great for society as it has resulted in many positive things happening for various causes, but it has also helped fans to respect sports stars more and has even boosted their sports career.
Of course, social media cannot be underestimated when it comes to athletes and advocacy. In fact, social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram have allowed athletes to speak out and even inform their audience about various causes. In this way, they have been successful in steering public consciousness towards a more sustainable and equitable world. This has led to more sports fan bases becoming more socially conscious about things that are going on and they can even interact with athletes on these platforms to ask questions about what they are advocating.
Moreover, as Gen Z and Gen X are largely dependent on social media and modern technologies, sports stars have been able to use it to inspire the next generation. When pro athletes speak out on certain issues, it inspires their young viewers to do the same. Not only does this give the sports industry a positive reputation, but it also ensures that young people are becoming interested in being proactive.
On top of this, pro athletes aren’t just using their position to influence those watching them but also to educate them. Well respected athletes are more likely to gain lucrative sponsorship deals. Plenty of ex-footballers and managers promote football betting, and those with a reputation for doing the right thing are more likely to get the best deal for themselves. In this way, pro athletes can use their platform to confirm information, interact in debates and promote education resources that are geared towards advocacy. They may also open up about their own struggles with regard to learning about social justice, making their viewers feel comfortable and confident to join in with them. Additionally, pro athletes have been using their position to talk about the challenges and hurdles that are in their way with regard to advocacy and be transparent about the steps that need to be taken.
In addition, pro athletes are also making a difference through strategic partnerships and collaborations which intensify the impact of advocacy efforts. By aligning with organizations and causes in this way, pro athletes are becoming clear about their goals and their stance. These partnerships could be anything from partnerships with non-profits or collaborations with educational institutions. This has helped to create a sense of community whereby everyone has a united vision of the future.
One issue that has always persisted in the sports community is gender equality. Nowadays, we are more likely to see pro athletes advocating for gender equality and female athletes being given more of a platform to speak out about the issues that affect them. It is common to see female as well as male athletes start to tackle issues such as equal pay, the treatment of women and any gender stereotypes that still persist in sports. This trend has also translated to wider society and made a bigger impact on females who want to get into sport.
Ultimately, there are many instances when pro athletes have stood up for what they believe in. Whether it is through speaking out, taking part in protests, giving money to charity or starting their own organizations, pro athletes have certainly been acting as advocates for just causes. In the future, as athletes are given more of a platform to voice their opinion, we should see more pro athletes expressing their views and encouraging others to do the same.
