NFL
By: Zachary Draves
I don’t even know what to say anymore.
It is a never-ending saga that leaves me completely exhausted and I feel like I am repeating myself over and over again when addressing the complete incompetence of the International Olympic Committee.
But here we go again.
In their latest episode of the suppression, the IOC announced that any display of Black Lives Matter paraphernalia, taking a knee, or raising a fist will be banned and that any athlete who violates these rules will be subjected to punishment that IOC still hasn’t explained.
The fact that they singled out a crystal clear message of basic humanity at the moment of intense reckoning around systemic racism reveals what the IOC has been about all along.
They claim that they stand for sportsmanship, peace, and unity predicated on political neutrality but all that is supreme public relations bull—-.
I encourage everyone to pick up a history book or watch a documentary about the Olympics and you will see politics on full display as well as continuous acts of greed, exploitation, covering up human rights abuses, gentrification, and forced displacement during the construction of the Olympic venues.
I would also encourage everyone of sound reason and genuine curiosity to learn about notorious IOC head Avery Brundage who granted the 1936 Olympics to Berlin, Germany under Hitler’s rule and Hitler used the games as a propaganda tool.
Brundage also forced out Tommie Smith and John Carlos from the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City after they courageously protested racism during the medal ceremony in that iconic black power salute.
In the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, 11 Israeli athletes were slaughtered in a terrorist attack in the Olympic village and Brundage, a notorious racist, and anti-semite didn’t grant a period of mourning but allowed the games to continue as if nothing happened.
(Courtesy: jta.org)
It was during those same games that he exiled American sprinters Vincent Matthews and Wayne Collett for engaging in a protest against racial injustice during the medal ceremony.
(Courtesy: The Olympians)
Thomas Bach, the current head of the IOC is following in Brundage’s footsteps and using the so-called “Olympic movement” to reinforce systemic injustice and oppression.
Ultimately, they decide to window dress by allowing for athletes to wear shirts that can say “equality”, “respect”, “solidarity”, and “unity” to name a few milquetoast and watered down sentiments that the IOC don’t remotely believe in.
Furthermore, race is the obvious element in the room and the IOC’s philosophy when it comes to black athletes is that they should be seen and not heard.
This is no different than the ignorance coming from some political pundits and elected officials who are telling black athletes to shut up and play, a classic white supremacist practice that essentially says that black athletes are purely existing for the enjoyment of white audiences while white supremacy continues to flourish without notice.
But this generation of black and allied athletes are not letting up and refusing to bow down to that pressure and demanding to be respected for who they are authentically.
Very much following the calls by John Carlos and actor/activist Jesse Williams who have each challenged white America’s indifference to black suffering by relishing in black culture and talent but not black people.
As a result, athletes are thinking long and hard about how they can go into Tokyo and unapologetically speak their minds regardless of the consequences.
Progressive athlete-led organizations such as Global Athlete are stepping up and offering to provide legal support to those athletes who intend on protesting during the games.
(Courtesy: Twitter)
Rob Koehler, Executive Director of Global Athlete, whose work during the games is yet to be determined, is already committed to doing the work from an advocacy standpoint and among many things looking at what those potential consequences are for political protest during the games.
(Courtesy: ESPN)
Furthermore, they are legitimately calling out the bogus survey put out by the IOC that claims the majority of athletes support Rule 50.
“You cannot send out a survey on human rights” said Rob.
“Former athletes completed the survey who had already retired and you have the majority speaking for the minority”
The fact that athletes who are no longer involved in any IOC sanctioned activities and that basic human rights such as free speech and expression are to be granted permission speaks volumes as well as the fact that the terminology and logistical framework of the survey was not clearly defined.
Rob also points out that the IOC is beholden to the 1948 UN Declaration of Human Rights that protects free speech and expression due to their direct involvement with the UN.
Clearly the IOC is out of touch and has been since god knows.
In addition, Rob makes it clear that when athletes engage in protest they are actually moving the ball forward.
“If they peacefully protest to raise attention to social and racial injustice, this can create a better world” he said.
Whatever happens, the IOC is in for a rude awakening, and athletes have banded together in collective solidarity and commitment to looking out for one another irrespective of sport or status.
Among those is two-time Olympic gold medal triple jumper Christian Taylor, whose not only looking for a third in Tokyo but is also president of the newly formed Athletics Association.
(Courtesy: SPY)
He along with AA which is committed to ensuring that athletes have a say in making their own decisions when it comes to their lives and careers is unafraid in calling out the IOC on their you know what.
“It is very disheartening and frustrating that we are still having this conversation,” said Christian.
“Light is shed on something that was swept under the rug and when you have a governing body saying you are not speaking on an injustice, it is the opposite of what sport is.”
As I said, the IOC won’t get it until we force them and implement long-overdue structural changes so that athletes feel safe and free to speak their minds.
Going for gold comes with many sacrifices and costs, but human dignity shouldn’t be one of them.
(Courtesy: Twitter)
