"Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”
- Muhammad Ali
As we watch the Olympics and celebrate the most successful athletes of the world representing their countries with pride, we accept them as one big family. For two weeks, their skin color, country of origin, religion, and language will not define them. Although they will compete for their country, what will define them is their hard work, sacrifices and successes as an athlete. For two weeks every 4 years, we view and celebrate their hard work, dedication to their sport, their sportsmanship, and their athleticism - epitomizing the “color blind” mentality. We’re proud when our Black and brown brethren win medals. The public, the media, or critics won’t use the color of their skin to make excuses for their win or to hold them to a double standard for their mistakes or better yet, for their outstanding physical and mental abilities in the public sphere. National pride appears to take over our implicit biases for two weeks, but in reality white supremacy and racial hierarchy continue to thrive. The articles and videos selected for this toolkit demonstrate the perpetuation of systemic racism despite the appearance of national pride for all American athletes.
Athletes of color are champions for more than just their sport. Our Black and brown athletes take on the role of goodwill ambassadors, representing our great country while at home they and their communities are facing systemic racial, social, economic, educational, and healthcare inequalities. In a press conference, after his home was vandalized, LeBron James said, “No matter how big you can become in America, no matter how much influence you think you got or do have, if you’re African-American, it doesn’t matter. You are still Black. You’re still Black in America.”
This summer edition of our Racial Justice Toolkit, we are hoping to offer a time to reflect on racial inequalities through the lens of sports and through the experiences of our very talented Black and brown athletes’ persistence despite the many adversities they face daily.
