One of the most unfortunate effects of oppression on the oppressed  is the internalization of the negative propaganda about themselves.   In any society that chooses to enforce inequality the power of propaganda and negative stereotypes are primary tools of the architects of those societies to carry out the social engineering that is their intended end.  In order for stereotypes to take hold they most be continuously reinforced to ensure they that they remain viable explanations for the social order.

In essence a marketing campaign must be run from generation to generation to inculcate the stereotypes and negative propaganda so that all parties play their respective part and follow the intended script. Singers are to sing, ball players are to play ball, actors are to act and rappers are to rap. These individuals are supposed to be so happy and grateful for their fame and fortune that they are never to speak on issues that are political that might affect the status quo like racism, police brutality and certainly not international politics. (Read: Brainwashed by Tom Burrell)

In the United States it has been said over and over that black athletes and entertainers shy away from political and racial issues that impact the black population.  This stereotype has persisted for generations, and it is assumed to be an irrefutable truism that black athletes and entertainers are a-political, shallow, selfish and simply afraid to risk their position by lending their platform to causes that are racial in nature and deemed controversial.

What is true is that there has always been a major reaction and in some cases a vicious backlash to blacks who have used their platform to take positions in support of the black population in America that were deemed controversial. We need to look no further than the government attack on Paul Robeson for his the uncompromising position he took on behalf of blacks. (Read: Here I Stand by Paul Robeson)

What is probably the most notable stand taken by a famous black athlete who was a major public figure was that of Muhammad Ali who as the heavyweight champ of the world and a Muslim, refused his induction into the army to fight in Vietnam. As  consequence he was stripped of his title and threatened with prison time. Muhammad Ali would go on to become an iconic figure not just to the black community for his boldness to speak out about the unfairness in US society toward blacks but to the anti-war movement in America that felt the Vietnam war was a war of aggression that was wrong.  Muhammad Ali openly worked with and lent his celebrity to further the work of Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.(See: The Trial of Muhammad Ali)
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While it maybe true that Paul Robeson stood somewhat alone during his time with other prominent blacks afraid to support him publicly, by the time the 1960’s rolled around the leading black athletes of the day stood by Muhammad Ali and did not let the system make an example of him like they did Mr. Robeson. The likes of Jim Brown, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell and others came to Ali’s defense for his right to be a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War.

There is an old saying that “no man can rise higher than the level of his people.”  This message appears to have hit home among this current generation of professional athletes and they need to understand that they are walking in the footsteps of giants who paved the way even if it cost them their careers.  They can not be deterred by those voices that would rather they just shut up and play ball.  None of these critics would be saying anything like that if it were there sons, brothers, fathers and uncles being killed at the rate of 1 every 28 hours by those who are sworn to protect and serve.

Submitted by Christopher A. Clarke on 12/30/14. 

Christopher A. Clarke is managing editor of Black2020.Com and can be at Christopher_Clarke@Black2020.com