STAND WITH BLACK ATHLETES!
[ [link removed] ][IMG]
Demand the International Olympic Committee drops its ban on political
protest!
[ [link removed] ]Take Action
John,
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) just implemented an oppressive
policy to silence the free expression of Black athletes during the Summer
Olympics.^1 The policy bans athletes from kneeling, raising their fists,
or wearing signs or symbolic armbands. At a time of heightened political
awareness and the threat of a world war, athletes who take a stand for
justice are being told to “shut up and play.”
There is no real peace in the absence of justice and there is no victory
when individuals are silenced.
The policy is extremely problematic because as we know, “taking a knee”
and “raising fists” are directly associated with justice for Black people.
And with no clearly defined consequences in the policy, the IOC has the
power to come up with arbitrary punishments that can be implemented
differently for individual athletes. The IOC’s policy is a direct attack
on athlete activists like gold medalist Gwen Berry who boldly raised her
fist in protest last year.^2
It’s time for corporate sponsors as well as the US Olympic & Paralympic
Committee (USOPC) to stand for the rights of athletes.
[ [link removed] ]Demand that the USOPC and corporate sponsors of the Tokyo Olympics tell
the IOC to drop this oppressive anti-protest policy.
The historical purpose of the Olympics was to bring humanity together not
only to celebrate athletic excellence, but also to “to build up a strong
and more valiant and, above all, more scrupulous and more generous
humanity”.^3 Setting limits on political speech and censoring marginalized
voices and populations - who are often denied access to global stages -
actually cuts against the stated intention behind having the Olympics.
Black athletes and activism are inextricably linked. Since racial
integration in sports began, Black athletes have been celebrated as
representatives for their cities, states, and countries, while at the same
time bearing witness to the horrific treatment of their people. In the
Olympics specifically, these world-class athletes receive tiny stipends
while generating billions of dollars for the IOC.^4 Black athletes have
earned the right to elevate their causes on the winners’ platform and
express their pride in winning. In 1959, High jumper Rose Robinson paved
the way when she sat down during the national anthem at the Pan American
Games in protest of the war, injustice, and hypocrisy.^5 The world will
never forget the 1968 photo of John Carlos and Tommie Smith raising their
fists after winning the 200 meter-dash. Just last year, after decades of
being shut out from the Olympics, these men were inducted into the USOPC
Hall of Fame for their historic protest.^6
Following in their footsteps, two gold medalists at last year’s Pan
American Games - Gwen Berry and Race Imboden - continued the legacy of
athlete activism by protesting during the national anthem of their medal
ceremonies.^7 And now, the IOC has created this oppressive policy, clearly
in retaliation, while stating that the mission of the Olympic Games is to
bring the entire world together and facilitate the understanding of
different views.
[ [link removed] ]The sponsors of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics include several American
corporations whose company values are not aligned with silencing the free
expression of Black athletes. We must demand they speak out!
Many of the corporate sponsors are industry leaders which have company
missions and values that are in direct contrast with silencing free
expression. We will not allow them to be complicit as the IOC attempts to
control Olympic athletes. Additionally, the US Olympic & Paralympic
Committee - a congressionally chartered non-profit organization - has a
legal obligation to defend the right of Black athletes to protest. With
the Olympics a few months away, we need to put as much pressure as
possible on these companies and the USOPC to stand with athletes.
[ [link removed] ]Demand that Olympic Sponsors and the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee
affirm their support for freedom of speech!
Until justice is real,
Brandi, Rashad, Arisha, Johnny, Amanda, Evan, Future, Eesha, Samantha,
Marcus, FolaSade, Jennette, Ciera, and the rest of the Color Of Change
team
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References:
1. “IOC makes it clear: Kneeling, raised fists, other protests not
allowed at 2020 Olympics,” Yahoo Sports, January 9, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
2. “Gwen Berry, U.S. Olympian who raised fist, on IOC's protest policy:
'We shouldn't be silenced. It's a form of control,'” Yahoo Sports,
January 9,
2020,[ [link removed] ][link removed]
3. “Why you might not see any athletes protest at this summer’s
Olympics”, Vox, January 9, 2020,
[link removed]
4. “Olympic executives cash in on a ‘Movement’ that keeps athletes poor,”
The Washington Post, July 30, 2016,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
5. “Sixty Years Ago She Refused to Stand for the Anthem,” Zora, September
26,
2019, [ [link removed] ][link removed]
6. “Opinion: 'We were wrong,' as USOPC finally do right by Tommie Smith,
John Carlos”, USA Today, September 23, 2019,
[link removed]
7. “US gold medalists at Pan American Games face sanctions over
anti-Trump podium protests,” Yahoo Sports, August 11, 2019,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. [ [link removed] ]Help
keep our movement strong.
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