Black, white, Latino, Asian, male or female, whatever the classification is we are all grouped into categories and separated by class, race, economic status etc. America’s ideology is “United we stand, divided we fall,” but this country was built on division. From the beginning, this great nation has prided itself on being divided. There is one thing however that changes all of that, and that is sports! No matter if you’re black or white, rich or poor, one thing the citizens of this country can agree on is that we love our sports.
Basketball and football have been known to have the highest percentage of black athletes for a while now, and even with racial tensions at an all-time high, fans are still able to come together for one common goal. This year alone, with all the controversy surrounding sports, it has unified us as a nation.
When Colin Kaepernick decided to take a knee last season, he did so to bring awareness to the injustices that were going on in this nation. His actions were viewed as being unpatriotic and disrespectful to the men and women who have served this country. While Kaepernick only did what he thought was right, many US citizens, including NFL owners frowned at his decisions. That was only the beginning. This season, his peaceful protest caught on like wildfire and spread from the NFL to other professional sports leagues. Many players in the NBA, MLB, and college athletes have joined together in unity to protest peacefully and display their disdain for this country. America was once the land of the free and the home of the brave, but freedom isn’t free. That freedom has been paid for by the blood, sweat and tears of my ancestors. Freedom for myself and other minorities came at a hefty price. Home of the brave? Show me bravery and I’ll show you a coward. True bravery is the way we had to adapt after being taken away from our homeland and enslaved.
Yet with all that has transpired over the years, and all the racial tension that is currently brewing, sports is the one thing that makes everything all right again. Being able to sit next to each other, drinking a cold beer, eating a hot dog, cheering for whomever your favorite team is makes it better, even if it is just for a little while. For in that moment, skin color, economic status, gender, or sexual preference don’t matter. The next time you watch a game, especially a championship game, pay attention to how often strangers hug and high five each other. Their only concern in that moment is sticking with whomever is rooting for the same team aa them. Many friendships have been forged because of sports. Sports unifies people from all over the world, and for just a little while, everyone is equal.
