That’s an overstatement Amy. Athletics changes the socioeconomic trajectory of the lives of thousands of men & women every year. Vast overstatement to condemn it based on a few examples. Unfairness is everywhere in society but sports may be our country’s greatest meritocracy.
A big part of American identity/mythology is that sports are great equalizer, that merit on the field can transcend all other societal inequities. What the NFL kneeling & Serena penalties reveal is how flawed that theory is.
-
-
-
But when those people leave the field they are still 1) black: 2) female and still discriminated against. Let’s not pretend that money and fame are the only things that matter.
-
Agree, highest value of athletics is not money or fame. It’s teamwork/discipline/respect/facing adversity & many other unifying things. These experiences breakd down racial/gender boundaries. Seeing the athletic experience only through the lens of money & fame is myopic.
- End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
I think you are confusing “merit” with “division” ... no one is arguing Serena isn’t a great player. And if Kaepernick cared more about his teammates than his social justice career, he’d be on a team.
-
Or maybe he cares for social justice more than football. I respect his choice.
-
Exactly. Sport is a game. Unarmed Black People shot dead, for being? Real as real gets. Actually, a game can evolve into a sport.nothing more, really.
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
I'm all in with you about Kaepernick. I have been an avid tennis fan for 50 years Amy. I know those codes as well as anyone. They weren't drawn up yesterday, and if I'm aware of the penalties, then I know Serena is too. This isn't her first rodeo, or her first violations either
-
But what about the social inequity that rule breaking is tolerated more among men than women? Haven't rules been broken by men at finals but they haven't been penalized?
-
MacEnroe was penalized and lost in the Australian Open for similar actions. No double standard. What the next
#excuse for her boorish behavior -
Numerous counter examples before and after.
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
Thanks. Twitter will use this info to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
Do you play or follow tennis seriously? I do for decades. Serena got outplayed and acted like a big fat cry baby. Her coach cheated too. If she had won because of throwing Osaka off that would have been the crime/shame of tennis. A number 19 seed wins a slam is a great story.
-
100% correct. Serena behaved like a disgusting bully (even worse than she usually does) and did all she could to spoil Naomi’s special day. She needs to retire and go be a Mom or something.
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
How does an African-American losing to a Haitan-Japanese prove societal inequities? Umpf is famous for being hard on all players, including Nadal. Kaepernick/NFL points well taken, though. In many ways sports has, overall, helped fight inequality, but obviously room4improvement
Thanks. Twitter will use this info to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
I honestly feel awful for Osaka. This should have been one of the greatest days of her life...
Thanks. Twitter will use this info to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
Professional sports were never about America...but they have had a poisonous effect on America...Professional sports are about endorsements, multi-million $ contracts, and $12 beers...
-
I remember the days when football was fun to watch. Money has poisoned the game, and greed is slowly ruining all sports.
-
You can only charge so much, sell so many ads or put up with all this political stuff before people just walk away realizing it is all a fake...
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
so the right to abuse an official is the beachhead that must be taken.
Thanks. Twitter will use this info to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.