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More Than an Athlete

The swimming community where I grew up in Oakland, California, was quite modest. I spent my

childhood swimming with the Oakland Undercurrents, and I will always be grateful to them for

everything they have done for my neighborhood and for trying to bring swimming back to

Oakland. As time went on, I was forced to make difficult choices between swimming in Oakland

or swimming in Walnut Creek, where I would have access to more resources. I would end up

choosing to swim in Walnut Creek because it was best for me. Although creating a community

from scratch as a young child is nearly impossible and would be a challenging task, I always felt

that one day, whether as a coach or swimmer, I would return. Various athletes have sparked my

interest in doing this, one that has inspired me recently is Marcus Rashford, an athlete who has

used his platform to promote social justice. He has been a vocal advocate for Black Lives Matter

and has used his position as a professional athlete to raise awareness about issues of police

brutality and racial inequality. He has also been involved in community-based initiatives aimed

at promoting education and social justice. For his actions Marcus was awarded the Mbe, the

prestigious award is for his ongoing charity work and well-publicized campaign against child

poverty off the field. This inspired millions of young athletes including myself, pushing us to be

bigger than just an athlete. I've learned from swimming in Walnut Creek how much better the

resources are than in Oakland, which explains why they have a larger swimming community and

generate so many more swimmers. These resources include the availability of swimming pools;

in contrast to the several pools offered in Walnut Creek, only Oakland High and Temescal are

constantly open to the public for swimming. Recreational swimming is what really draws

attention to a swim community. I participated in the Oakland recreational swimming

championship meet for fun, but it was quite depressing to do so; the meet lacked spirit, and the

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fact that less than four teams and less than 100 swimmers competed at the meet's pinnacle broke

my heart. However, recreational swimming in Walnut Creek was a complete 180; the County

recreational swimming championship meet was one of the most well-attended meets I have been

to. The swimmers, parents, and coaches were all very involved.The pool was packed to the

fullest with people spilling out, this is something I hope to see happen to Oakland rec swimming

in my lifetime and I hope I have a hand in this change. Because of this, I will be answering the

question: Should athletes be morally obligated to use their platform for good, responsibly?

The role of athletes in advocating for social issues has been a topic of much discussion

and debate in recent years. Some argue that athletes have a moral obligation to use their platform

to speak out against injustice and promote positive change in society, while others believe that

athletes should stay out of politics and focus solely on their sport. In this essay, we will explore

the question of whether athletes should be morally obligated to use their platform for good,

drawing on quotes from two different sources on this topic.One argument for athletes using their

platform to advocate for social issues comes from an article in Silver Chips Online titled

"Athletes Should Continue to Advocate for Social Issues in America." The author argues that

athletes have a unique opportunity to influence public opinion and effect change because of their

high profile and visibility. They can use their fame to draw attention to important issues and

inspire others to take action. The article cites several examples of athletes who have used their

platform to promote social justice causes, including LeBron James, Colin Kaepernick, and

Megan Rapinoe. The author writes, "Athletes have a powerful voice that can help create change

in society...They have the ability to reach millions of people across the world and inspire them to

be better." This statement highlights the potential impact that athletes can have when they use

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their platform for good. By speaking out against injustice and promoting positive change,

athletes can raise awareness and encourage others to get involved in important social issues.

Another example of an athlete using their platform for good comes from an interview

with Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford in The Wall Street Journal. Rashford has

been a vocal advocate for child hunger in the UK and has used his platform to lobby the

government to provide free school meals to children from low-income families. In the interview,

Rashford talks about the responsibility he feels to use his platform to make a difference in the

world: "I know that a lot of people follow me and look up to me. I feel like it’s my responsibility

to use my platform to try to help those people and to try to make the world a better place. If I

didn’t do that, I’d feel like I was letting them down." This quote highlights the sense of

responsibility that some athletes feel to use their platform for good. Rashford recognizes that he

has a large following and a significant amount of influence, and he believes that he has a duty to

use that influence to make a positive impact on society. This sentiment is echoed by many other

athletes who have spoken out on social issues, suggesting that there is a growing sense among

athletes that they have a responsibility to use their platform for good. However, not everyone

agrees that athletes should be morally obligated to use their platform to advocate for social

issues. Some argue that athletes should stay out of politics and focus solely on their sport, as

their primary responsibility is to entertain and perform for their fans. This argument was made by

Fox News commentator Laura Ingraham in 2018, when she told LeBron James to "shut up and

dribble" after he criticized President Trump. Ingraham's comments sparked widespread criticism

and debate about the role of athletes in politics. The argument against athletes using their

platform for social issues is based on the idea that athletes should not be involved in politics or

social issues because they lack expertise in these areas. Some critics argue that athletes should

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focus on their sport and leave politics to the politicians. They believe that athletes have a duty to

their fans to entertain and perform, and that anything outside of that is a distraction from their

primary responsibility.

LeBron James uses his platform for good in various ways, The article "How Lebron

James Uses His Influence to Improve Community Development" by Keith Schneider provides an

example of an athlete who has used his platform for good. The article highlights James' efforts to

improve his hometown of Akron, Ohio through various initiatives, including the LeBron James

Family Foundation and the I Promise School. As Schneider writes, "James has leveraged his

athletic excellence and global renown to create an educational pipeline and a business incubator

in the neighborhood where he grew up." James' work has not only provided tangible benefits to

the community, but also inspired others to take action. The article suggests that James' influence

extends far beyond the basketball court, and demonstrates how athletes can use their platform to

effect real change in society. This example supports the argument that athletes have a moral

responsibility to use their platform for good and make a positive impact on the world. More on

Lebron James using his platform In recent years, there has been a growing debate over whether

athletes have a moral obligation to use their platform for good. While some argue that athletes

should remain neutral and focus solely on their sport, others believe that they have a

responsibility to use their influence to promote social justice and advocate for important issues.

LeBron James, a prominent athlete and advocate for social justice, believes that athletes have a

responsibility to speak out on important issues. He argues that athletes have the power to inspire

change and serve as role models for young people. "We're leaders, and we can give the youth and

everyone in the community something to look up to," he states. This highlights the potential for

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athletes to effect positive change and promote important issues such as racial equality and social

justice.

Some people argue that athletes should not be morally obligated to use their platform for

good, as they believe that athletes should stay out of politics and focus solely on their sport. They

believe that an athlete's primary responsibility is to entertain and perform for their fans, and that

using their platform for social issues is a distraction from their main purpose. This view is

expressed in an article from The Wall Street Journal, which states that "athletes are entertainers,

not public intellectuals or policymakers. Their role in society is to perform their craft and

entertain the masses, not to enlighten or indoctrinate them." One of the main arguments against

athletes using their platform for social issues is based on the idea that athletes lack expertise in

these areas. While athletes may be experts in their respective sports, they may not necessarily

have the knowledge or expertise needed to fully understand complex social and political issues.

This point is echoed in the Silver Chips Online article, which states that "just because someone is

good at throwing a ball, it doesn't mean they have the expertise to lead a social justice

movement." In fact, some argue that athletes who speak out on social issues may do more harm

than good, as they may not have a complete understanding of the issues they are speaking about

and could potentially misinform their followers. Furthermore, when athletes do speak out on

social issues, they may face criticism and backlash from those who disagree with their views.

This can create controversy and distract from the athlete's primary responsibility of entertaining

and performing for their fans. As The Wall Street Journal article notes, "sports fans want to

watch games, not be lectured on social justice by athletes who may lack a complete

understanding of the issues." In my interview with former olympic swimmer and current coach

of the Oakland Undercurrents, Rolandas Gimbutis he states “Not all athletes have the same

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boundaries in terms of what they can and cannot say”..In some cases, athletes may even lose fans

or face backlash from sponsors, which could have negative financial consequences for the

athlete. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use their platform for good should be left up

to individual athletes and their personal beliefs and values. In my interview with Pianki Gibson

he states “We are allowed to not push our views on other people even if they are right and think

they're right, our definition of good differs from what another group of people sees as good”.

This is very true especially in China, athletes in China do not have the verbal freedom athletes in

America do, this is shown in an article called China warns foreign Olympic athletes against

speaking out on politics at Winter Games by Eva Dou “In China, critics of the government have

routinely been sentenced to prison for staging political protests, or for comments they made on

social media. While it's unlikely Beijing would risk international ire to severely punish an athlete

at the Olympics for speech, Yang declined to answer on Tuesday what the maximum punishment

could be for political demonstration at the Games”. As the Silver Chips Online article notes,

"Athletes have a right to voice their opinions, and they should continue to do so. By using their

platforms to their advantage, they spread awareness on social issues and speak up for others who

do not have a voice. More people feel empowered to make a change, and that has happened

many times in the past and will continue to happen in the future as long as athletes use their

power in a positive way." Some athletes may feel compelled to use their platform for good, while

others may choose to stay out of politics and focus solely on their sport. It is important to

recognize that athletes are individuals with their own unique perspectives and beliefs, and should

not be forced to use their platform for any specific cause or issue. In recent years, athletes have

increasingly used their platform to advocate for important issues and effect change. Naomi

Osaka's withdrawal from the French Open to prioritize her mental health is a prime example of

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this. As a result, there has been a growing debate over whether athletes should be morally

obligated to use their platform for good. In an opinion piece for the Boston Globe, Renee

Graham argues that athletes have a responsibility to advocate for the marginalized and voiceless.

She writes, "Osaka understands that being a public figure means being a potential agent of

change. It’s a role that comes with moral obligations to stand up and speak out on behalf of the

marginalized and the voiceless." This highlights the idea that athletes hold a unique position of

influence and should use this power to promote social justice and advocate for those who may

not have a voice.

The two biggest Athletes regarding this subject is Muhammad Ali and Colin Kaepernick

who have become symbols of social activism and have inspired others to use their platform to

effect change. Both Ali and Kaepernick have used their platform to bring attention to social

injustices and advocate for important issues, despite facing backlash and criticism for doing so.

Their actions have demonstrated that athletes have a unique platform and ability to effect change

in ways that others may not. Their willingness to take a stand and speak out has inspired other

athletes to do the same and has raised public awareness of important social justice issues. As

shown in this article by TIME, the power of athletes to effect change and promote social justice

is explored. The article highlights the impact of athletes such as Muhammad Ali and Colin

Kaepernick, who have used their platform to advocate for important issues and bring attention to

social injustices. The article also discusses the potential risks that come with speaking out, such

as backlash and criticism from fans and sponsors. The article argues that athletes have a unique

platform and ability to effect change in ways that others may not. They have the power to

influence public opinion and bring attention to issues that may not receive as much coverage in

traditional media outlets. In addition, athletes often come from marginalized communities and

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have experienced firsthand the social injustices that they seek to address. The article also

discusses the importance of athletes using their platform in a way that is authentic and aligned

with their values. It is important for athletes to speak out on issues that they are passionate about

and that align with their personal beliefs, rather than feeling pressured to speak out on every

issue or align with a particular political agenda.

Athletes occupy a unique position of influence and cultural significance in society, and as

such, they have a moral responsibility to use their platform for good. They have the power to

effect real change in society by raising awareness about important issues and inspiring others to

take action. However, while athletes should be encouraged to use their platform for good, they

should not be shamed or ridiculed if they choose not to do so. Everyone has the right to decide

how they use their platform, and it is important to respect an individual's right to make their own

decisions. I think its very important to give athletes time before they speak out, some of these

athletes are still young kids, in Greenes article More Athletes Are Speaking Out On Social Issues

Than Ever Before he explains this logic very well “People sometimes forget how immature

outside the sideline stripes so many of our young physical heroes are. And then when they do

speak up about anything, there is invariably a large element of fandom that calls out for them to

just take the big money and play ball and shut up”. While there may be a moral obligation to use

their platform for good, ultimately it is up to the athlete to decide how they want to use their

influence. People should care if athletes are morally obligated to use their platform for good

because athletes have a significant impact on society and culture. In the book Having Their Say

by Kristie Bunton she states “As I approached anew the topic of speaking out, I collected more

examples than I possibly could analyze, perhaps because mainstream news coverage so often

amplified the voices of celebrities who spoke out through social media platforms, After all, when

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professional basketball star Lebron James tweets that U.S President Donald Trump is a

“bum”Athletes are influential figures who can bring attention to important issues, inspire others

to take action, and effect real change in society. If athletes do not use their platform for good,

then important issues may not receive the attention they deserve and important changes may not

be made. Additionally, athletes who choose not to use their platform for good may miss an

opportunity to use their influence for positive change, which could be seen as a wasted

opportunity to do good. Therefore, it is important to encourage athletes to use their platform for

good and to raise awareness about the impact they can have on society, but once again they

should never be ridiculed or looked at differently if they do not want to because ultimately it is

their choice.

Wick, Nolan. “Silver Chips Online.” Silver Chips,

https://silverchips.mbhs.edu/content/athletes-should-continue-to-advocate-for-soci
al-issues-in-america-32899/.

Robinson, Joshua. “Why Marcus Rashford Is the New Prince of England.” The Wall
Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 9 Mar. 2021,
https://www.wsj.com/articles/marcus-rashford-interview-premier-league-1161521
9960.

Schneider, Keith. “How Lebron James Uses His Influence to Improve Community
Development.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 9 Mar. 2021,
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/09/business/lebron-james-community-develop
ment.html.

Graham, Renée. “Naomi Osaka Takes a Stand for Black Women's Mental Health - The
Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe.com, The Boston Globe, 1 June 2021,

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https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/01/opinion/naomi-osaka-takes-stand-blac
k-womens-mental-health

“More Athletes Are Speaking out on Social Issues than Ever Before.” NPR, NPR, 4 Jan.
2017,
https://www.npr.org/2017/01/04/508151190/more-athletes-are-speaking-out-on-s
ocial-issues-than-ever-before.

Dou, Eva. “China Warns Foreign Olympic Athletes against Speaking out on Politics at
Winter Games.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 20 Jan. 2022,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2022/01/19/china-winter-olym
pics-politics-speech/.

Bunton, Kristie. “Having Their Say: Athletes and Entertainers and the Ethics of
Speaking out: Paperback.” Barnes & Noble, McFarland & Company, Incorporated
Publishers, 2 Apr. 2021,
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/having-their-say-kristie-bunton/1138909528.

Gibson, Piankhi. Personal Interview. Date

Gimbutis, Rolandis. Personal Interview. Date

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