The History of Sports Protest

Protest can alter agendas, attitudes, and viewpoints. People in power end to forgot about the little guy but, when there are enough protesters that usually changes. The people in power try to come up with a counter argument to the protest and that is when debate begins, and argument becomes possible. Protest can also change the outcome for future generations. At the time of the protest it may seem as if the everything is stagnant, and no change will ever occur because those in power have a certain mindset and do not want to change their thinking. That is when the new generation may come along and realize the past thinking of those in power were not quite right and see the views of the protestors and implement change. Protesting can bring people from various ethnicities together. People from all sorts of different backgrounds come together for a common goal. Protest can unite our country and teach us that despite our differences we are still one in the same.

Protest in sports have been occurring in the sports world since the late 1800’s, and it relates to sport and research for one obvious reason. It happens in the sport world specifically and it requires research to get to the center of the problem so that you may form an understanding of what the protest is about. Protest in sports and sport and research relates because it gives you significant people in history that affected society and the sport. When you research the athletes involved you find out more about them, like their story, and why their protesting. Athletes such as Adrian Anson, Tommy Smith, and John Carlos. Although, Adrian Anson was protesting for something completely opposite of Tommy Smith and John Carlos. One of the earliest protest recorded in sports was led by Adrian Anson. Adrian Anson was a member of the Chicago White Stockings when he led the first sport protest. Considering society today, most people probably would not have agreed with Anson and his protest. Anson was refusing to play scheduled exhibitions against minor league teams featuring at least one black player. In 1887, eight members of the St. Louis Browns followed in Anson’s footsteps and forced cancellation of an exhibition game between the Browns and the all-black Cuban Giants by declining to play. At the 1968 Olympics, Tommie Smith and John Carlos protested for the complete opposite of what Adrian Anson was protesting for. The two Olympians stood on the winner’s podium and raised a single gloved fist. The black power fist represented more than what people thought, it was symbolic for peace and equality. The two athletes also, removed their shoes in a gesture toward black poverty and wearing beads symbolic of the nation’s history of lynching. Both athletes were booed in the moment, kicked out of the Olympic village, and suspended from U.S. track and field. They all played a significant part in history and used their sports platforms to protest for something they believed was right at the time.

The knowledge of protest in history will be beneficial to everyone involved in sports. It would allow people to make sense of the current world by referencing back to what happened in the past. Just like how people can look at economic and social trends to predict what will happen. A person who knows protest history can do the same and can prevent or solve the current protest.

Protesting in a sport is not a waste of time, instead it is a sign of strength. It shows that you are willing to take stance for something you believe in. It can cause change in society for future generations and set an example for people watching. When athletes protest it gives a voice for those who go unheard

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