I am starting to feel like the world/America has been transported back to a time where xenophobia, anti-Semitism, homophobia, and racism were the norm. Ideally, sports are supposed to be a sanctuary where people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and ethnicities can come together to compete in their sport. But with the increased amount of racism in sports during 2016, sports as sanctuary seems like a far-gone, romantic notion.
Often times, cultures such as sports, social media, television, etc., eflect what is going on in society. It appears as though there is a growing consensus that the amount of blatant racism in sports is increasing. According to a January ESPN report, there were 104 incidents of racism reported internationally, 31 incidents occurred in the U.S. alone, while 93 incidents occurred in soccer. I can’t help but notice how this increase in racism strongly coincides with the election of Donald Trump who has, on public television, made racially derogatory, and anti-Semitic comments (and for you “fake news” folks out there, don’t try and tell me that blatant racism can be spun by the news). Since his election, there have been growing incidents of anti-Semitic and racist messages publicly displayed on people’s houses. Though it is hard to blame one person, clearly the example being set by those in power is sending the message that racism is OK and tolerated and knows no bounds, not even in sports where diversity is inherent.
The same ESPN report from January cites the myriad incidents that took place this year. The most recent happened at a Red Sox game against the Baltimore Orioles where outfielder Adam Jones was called the “N-word” by fans and had peanuts thrown at him. The Red Sox organization issued a public apology. Also, Columbia University’s wrestling team was suspended because of racist, homophobic, and misogynistic text messages. The men’s cross-country team was also suspended at Amherst College for the exchange of similar text messages. NFL New York Giants player Nikita Whitlock’s home was robbed and vandalized, the culprits spray painted a swastika, the letters KKK, and a message that said, “Go back to Africa,” on his house.
Then there was Denver Broncos lineman Brandon Marshall who received hate mail that referred to him repeatedly as the “N-word” and made threats against his life. Another incident involved a man running onto the field in a gorilla suit during a Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions game. University of Wisconsin-Madison had to issue a public statement after a fan wore a racist costume, pretending to be former president Barack Obama.
Internationally, soccer players in Croatia experienced racism from fans that yelled anti-Semitic comments during a soccer match. One fan was even reported saying, “There’s a train waiting for you to Auschwitz.” Not to mention the number of racially inappropriate memes that circulate the internet, targeting the world’s athletes. Many of these memes have been liked by as many as 5,000 people and the comments are incredibly racist. What’s worse is there are likely a number of incidents that go unreported by athletes.
First off: WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE? ARE WE REALLY THIS BACKWARDS AND IGNORANT? Where did people get this notion that it’s OK to say these things? For you racist sports fans I say this: You are the lowest of the low, and if I had my way you would not attend a sporting event ever again in your life. Maybe you’re just bitter that they have more athletic talent in their pinky fingers than you ever will. I also wonder if these racist sports fans are religious because if they are, they’re hypocrites. I’m sure Jesus would have supported your racism, right? Because he was about singling people out for superficial things? Practice what you preach.
This level of inhumanity disgusts me and makes me feel ashamed for humanity at large. Clearly, racism (of any kind) is still very alive and well in the world. It disgusts me that such a long-standing, unacceptable social issue is once again permeating sports. This kind of behavior from sports fans cannot continue and cannot be tolerated.
Sports is a unifying activity that is open to anyone who wants to compete. It is not defined by gender, race, or religious belief; it frees people from these labels to unite them under one universal title: human being/athlete. Sports helped break barriers in equality and are a long standing symbol for diversity. It is disgusting and humiliating that people behave so blatantly racist towards athletes during contests, let alone these athletes’ private residences are being damaged and their lives are being threatened. It is appalling that there need to be sports columns dedicated to listing racist incidents in athletics.
Let me explain something: Racism has no place in this world anymore. It especially has no business existing in a place like America. We have done our time with racism and quite honestly, we have damaged enough lives over it. In theory (though there is no telling what will happen given the current political climate) America is supposed to be a country with wide open doors, ready to take in any and all who hope to change their lives through increased opportunity. But rather than that being our mantra, the country seems to halfway tolerate this hypocrisy and racism.
The bottom line is that for this to stop, people have to stop treating racism/homophobia/xenophobia/anti-Semitism casually and we have to stop treating it like it doesn’t exist or that it’s “not really an issue anymore.” Wake up people, watch the news and stop downplaying what’s going on because it makes you look like an oblivious and careless jerk. Racism has not gone away, and certain people have helped rekindle the life of this ugly, social beast. The longer we casually accept the use of racial epithets, the longer we stand idly by and let people be treated this way, the worse this is going to get. Just because you may not be discriminatory, doesn’t mean it’s OK for you to sit passively by and watch it happen. When you do, you’re sending the message that it’s tolerated and acceptable, and this is the message we are sending to younger generations.
Sports must be the platform for which intellectual, accepting people display the best aspects of their humanity and fight back against this ugly, ignorant issue. It really is quite easy: Fight back through social media, boycott sporting events when necessary, show support for tolerance, be brave and speak up, and basically don’t be a damn jerk.
Essentially, be a human being. We are not black, white, brown, Jewish, Republican, Democrat, or gay. We are HUMANS; we all bleed the same color, and we all put our pants on one leg at a time. No one is better than anyone else for any reason, so check your superiority complex at the door.
Discrimination has to stop. We are too far evolved and (in theory) too intellectual to engage in such unnecessary, evil behavior. Be kind to your fellow humans.
But what do I know? I’m just a Benchwarmer, and I will always speak out against intolerance.
Sports columnist Kristina Sewell doesn’t tolerate intolerance. Tell her your thoughts via Managing Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 25 – Jun 1, 2017.