by James Blake
The country is becoming more engaged and active, and Americans can take a page out of the history of sports activism, and from sports activists—past and present—to inform their actions. With Trump as president, athletes are finding their voice when it comes to activism, in the same way citizens around the country are finding their voice—rallying, uniting, and inciting change.
This surge in activist athletes speaks to the fact that we have a point of view and are not afraid to speak out about issues we are passionate about. It is also a wake-up call for many fans to realize that the athletes they idolize have interests off the field of play. We are informed, socially conscious, and socially aware, and we strive to make a difference. We are a part of the world we live in. We are immigrants, minorities, male, female, ethnically diverse, and we have families and concerns like everyone else. Often athletes are thought to have only one skill, and it is usually sports-related. But we are intelligent, savvy, and deeply conscious of the world we live in and of our community. And if we are not informed about an issue that speaks to us, we seek guidance and advice. This is what Colin Kaepernick did when he spoke to Dr. Harry Edwards before going public with his protest. Yes, we are fallible, because we are learning this whole protest thing along the way. But our concerns speak to the country, to our community, and to its people, and we want to make a difference and give back for all that we have been given.
The misconception that athletes, in general, are not well rounded, articulate, or informed was repeated often while I was on tour. The simplest things caught fans by surprise, as though they didn’t expect me to know anything outside of tennis. At times, it seemed fans thought athletes only exist for the few hours a day that we are on TV or playing our sport. Now, as a sports commentator, I’m seeing what is an intriguing combination of fans wanting to know more about athletes off the field, and athletes wanting to be more educated and well rounded. Fans realize and appreciate the talent, drive, hard work, and tremendous dedication athletes need to rise to the top of their game. When they reach that pinnacle, it is inspiring for me to see that so many want to use it as a springboard to help others who do not have the same opportunities, resources, or networks.
Diversity and Equality
When professional athletes take a stand, their organizations, franchises, and sponsors often follow. A January 2017 article by Business Insider, titled “Nike’s CEO Condemned Trump’s Immigration Order in a Letter to Staff,” states: “Nike chief executive Mark Parker has condemned Trump’s executive order banning arrivals from certain Muslim countries in an internal email to staff in which he said he was ‘moved’ by Sir Mo Farah’s ‘powerful statement.’”1
British long-distance runner Farah is a four-time Olympic gold medalist and a Nike brand ambassador. Born in Somalia, Farah moved to Britain when he was eight years old. While training in Ethiopia he voiced concerns that he might not be allowed back into the US because of President Trump’s proposed travel ban. Farah called the travel ban “ignorant and prejudiced” in a statement Farah posted on Facebook. “It’s deeply troubling that I will have to tell my children that Daddy might not be able to come home—to explain why the President has introduced a policy that comes from a place of ignorance and prejudice.”
Business Insider writes,
Parker’s message called on staff to stand up for the brand’s values of celebrating diversity which he said were being threatened by the president’s decision to halt the entire US refugee programme and impose a 90-day travel ban for nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
“Nike believes in a world where everyone celebrates the power of diversity,” said Parker. “Regardless of whether or how you worship, where you come from or who you love, everyone’s individual experience is what makes us stronger as a whole.”
Parker addressed Farah’s concerns in the letter saying he was “thinking of everyone who is impacted, like Sir Mo Farah.”
The [letter] said: “What Mo will always have—what the entire Nike family can always count on—is the support of this company. We will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of every member of our family: our colleagues, our athletes and their loved ones.”
Parker’s message concluded: “Now, more than ever, let’s stand up for our values and remain open and inclusive as a brand and as a company.”
Mark Parker joins an ever-growing list of CEOs who have spoken out against Trump’s travel ban. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings called the executive order “unAmerican”2 and said it would “make America less safe (through hatred and loss of allies) rather than more safe.” Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield called Trump’s actions “gratuitously evil.”3 eBay CEO Devin Wenig said the executive order “fundamentally contradicts our company’s values and America’s values.” In an open letter, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announced that in response to the ban, Starbucks would hire 10,000 refugees. Airbnb also announced it would provide free housing to “refugees and anyone not allowed in the United States.” Google and Apple have also voiced concerns about the ban. In response, Google created a $4 million humanitarian fund to aid organizations assisting immigrants affected by the ban.
Parker is not one to shy away from speaking his mind about diversity and inclusiveness. The July 2016 Fortune article “Read Nike CEO’s Heartbreaking Letter to Employees About Race and Violence” reported that Parker wrote a letter to his 32,000 employees at Nike about “the troubling issues of race, violence and policing that remain top of mind in the U.S.” Parker is also Fortune’s Businessperson of the Year.
The letter is excerpted below:
Like many of you, I’m struggling to make sense of the incomprehensible. We have experienced heartbreaking, disturbing and challenging times in the United States. I have watched with sorrow the events that took place across the U.S. The loss and pain experienced in Minnesota, Louisiana and Dallas have left communities, institutions and even the nation tested. Our thoughts are with all those impacted and their families and friends.
Nike has a long history of supporting the marginalized and those whose voice is not always heard. In many cases our athletes have eloquently argued for change and to stop the situation. Last night, at the ESPYs, we heard athletes like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul powerfully speak out about the issues facing society. Others, like Serena Williams, have also made their voices heard.
As a company, I’m proud that Nike takes a stand on issues that impact all of us, our athletes and society as a whole. And I am proud that Nike stands against discrimination in any form. We stand against bigotry. We stand for racial justice. We firmly believe the world can improve. We are a diverse company and . . . are firmly committed to making it more diverse and inclusive.
We cannot solve all these profound, longstanding and systemic issues. However, one thing will always be clear: discrimination in any form and racial injustice are destructive forces.
“There is every reason to believe that there are plenty of Nike employees feeling pain and despair,” Fortune writes. “The company is extraordinarily diverse.”
In a broad staffing and sustainability report released in May, the company revealed that for the first time ever, “minority” employees, a healthy mix of black, African American, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islanders, and other ethnic groups, are now 52% of their workforce. (Specifically, black/African American employees are 21% of Nike’s staff in the U.S.; while Hispanic/Latino workers are 18%.)
Parker is adding his voice to those of his most famous athlete-partners, like Serena Williams, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony, who have all been effective advocates for equality, and have been willing to participate in frank discussions about race.
But it’s more than just inspiration at a difficult time. That Parker is tackling this as a CEO, not just through the marketing lens of a powerful cultural force, appears to be an extraordinarily important development for the growing diversity and inclusion movement in corporate life.4
Nike is backing up
its words with marketing dollars in a powerful “Equality” ad campaign featuring a multicultural, international group of Nike’s top brand ambassadors. The campaign will utilize their powerhouse draw to further a message of equality, diversity, and acceptance during a time of divisiveness and exclusion.
Diversity Is an Asset
In the aftermath of the first thirty days of the Trump presidency, talent agency powerhouse William Morris Endeavor-International Management Group (WME-IMG) has publicly vowed to protect its company diversity. In the February 8, 2017, article “WME-IMG to Form Political Action Committee, Vows to Protect Company ‘Diversity,’” the Hollywood Reporter writes, “WME-IMG co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell are Planning to Form a Political Action Committee.” Emanuel, whose brother Rahm Emanuel is the mayor of Chicago, met with President Trump in November after his win and was said to have discussed cabinet appointments.
According to the Hollywood Reporter,
No details about what issues the PAC would tackle were revealed in the email, which noted that the company would pledge to protect its “diversity” in the next several years.
While the context of the memo is unclear, it arrives as companies have been emboldened in opposition to President Trump’s executive order targeting travel from seven Muslim-majority countries to the United States.
After the meeting Emanuel emailed a company-wide memo to staff:
No matter what side of the aisle you sit on or where you live in the world, the call for meaningful and sustained civic engagement is louder than ever.
In the coming weeks, you will hear more from us about:
The formation of a federal political action committee (PAC) in the U.S.
Convening internal and external forums with politicians and allied stakeholders
Connecting our clients with elected officials
Introducing company-wide matching policies to support donations of time and money
Developing actionable public policy solutions
This company’s greatest asset is the diversity of our backgrounds and beliefs. Please know that we will do everything in our power to support and protect this diversity now and in the months and years ahead.5
WME-IMG represented Trump and also bought Miss Universe from him. This is an interesting nexus between business and social policy.
The Way Forward
The title “Ways of Grace” is a tribute to one of my all-time favorite books, Days of Grace, by Arthur Ashe. I thought often of his words while researching these trailblazing athletes and their inspiring, illuminating, and uplifting stories. I like to think that Ashe would have been as proud of this book as I am proud of everything he accomplished. His passion for helping others far outweighed his talent on the tennis court. That is saying a lot, considering he was a Wimbledon and US Open champion.
His book, Days of Grace, made me think long and hard about what I wanted to do with my life. I read it before having any success on the ATP Tour, but I knew if I did ever have anywhere near Ashe’s success, that I wanted to use it as a way to make a difference. I hope Ways of Grace will have a similar positive effect on others—professional athletes, successful entrepreneurs, CEOs—who have reached a position of power, prestige, affluence, or influence, and who know that the end goal is to reach back, and to reach out, to make life better for others, for society, and for the world. Know that I continue to be lifted by your strides and achievements, and also by the efforts and accomplishments of anyone who has ever spoken out, organized, rallied, marched, or fought against what they saw as injustice, inequality, or inequity.
As Arthur Ashe said, “From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.”
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Carol Taylor. Without her, this book would most likely be a jumbled mess of my never-ending thoughts and lack of structure. She put up with my busy schedule and even my kids taking me away from some of our talks. Thank you for helping me put my thoughts on paper. I am extremely pleased with how we worked together, and if this turns out well I know a lot of it is because of you.
I need to thank Matt Harper and Tracy Sherrod of HarperCollins and Lisa Queen of WME-IMG. They had the idea for this book before I even realized that I wanted to write it. I am so glad they encouraged me to put down my thoughts in this form.
The athletes who took the time to speak with me on the record about activism were enlightening. I know how valuable time is to these busy athletes, so I want to thank Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Meb Keflezighi, Chris Kluwe, and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi for being such willing participants in this still-evolving experience.
Carlos Fleming has been integral in this process and my entire career. His official title is my agent, but that doesn’t begin to describe his importance and value to me. I respect him for how well he has done his job as my agent, but I love him so much more as a friend. That will always be the most important part of our relationship. I cannot stress how much more that means to me than any deal he has ever done for me. I know they all took a lot of hard work on his part, but to me, what was more important is that he put that hard work in because he cared about me as more than a client. Thank you for that work and all the sacrifices, Carlos.
My parents shaped me to be the person I am today. So I have to thank them for making this seem like a formality to talk about activism and how people in athletics can make the world a better place. My mother and father stressed education first, and then tennis, which was the number one hobby in our house. There was plenty of talk about all sports, and a constant theme in our household was giving back. Because of the way I grew up, this all seemed exceedingly normal to me. I did not know there would be any other option once I had success on tour except to help others with the resources I gained from each match I won. So I want to thank them for instilling that mind-set in me from a very young age.
Last, but certainly not least, and certainly most important is my wife. There are only so many hours in the day, and I wish I could spend them all with my amazing family. I appreciate the patience my wife has with me. The research for this book took me away from my family at times, and I felt nothing but support from her. She is the best mom our two daughters could ever dream of having, and that makes it easier for me to take time away for a project like this that I find to be important. I could never think about taking any time away from them if this wasn’t the case, so without her, this book never would have even been an option for me. Thank you, Emily.
Bibliography
Introduction
Ashe, Arthur, and Arnold Rampersand. Days of Grace: A Memoir. New York: Ballantine Books, 1993.
Chapter 1: Early Trailblazers
Welday Walker’s letter to the Tri-State league was published in Sporting Life, March 14, 1888.
Bartyzel, Monika. “Girls on Film: 11 Female Athletes Who Deserve Their Own Sports Biopic.” The Week, April 12, 2013. https://theweek.com/articles/465658/girls-film-11-female-athletes-who-deserve-sports-biopic.
Activism Stories: Big and Small Moments
Smith, Tommie, Delois Smith, and David Steele. Silent Gesture: The Autobiography of Tommie Smith. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2007.
Dunlap, Tiare. “Iconic 1968 Olympic Activist Tommie Smith Defends Colin Kaepernick’s National Anthem Protest: ‘He’s Bringing the Truth Out.’” People, August 31, 2016. http://people.com/sports/olympic-activist-tommie-smith-defends-colin-kaepernick.
Salute. Written, directed, and produced by Matt Norman, 2008.
Game. Set. Match.
“Billie Jean King Tennis Champion & Activist.” Makers.com. www.makers.com/billie-jean-king.
“About The WTA.” Women’s Tennis Association. www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/2951989/title/about-the-wta.
King, Billie Jean. Pressure Is a Privilege: Lessons I’ve Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes. New York: LifeTime Media, 2008.
———. “This Tennis Icon Paved the Way for Women in Sports.”
TED Talk. May 2015. www.ted.com/talks/billie_jean_king_this_tennis_icon_paved_the_way_for_women_in_sports.
Wilson, Theo. “Billie Jean King Admits the Affair.” New York Daily News, May 2, 1981. www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/billie-jean-king-confesses-1981-lesbian-article-1.2615020.
Chapter 2: Changing the Game
How Sports Changes Perceptions and Lives
A Beautiful Game. Directed and produced by Sarah Cordial. Fox Sports special.
Creating Change, Quietly
Martina Was Alone on Top. ESPN Special.
Lipsyte, Robert, and Peter Levine. Idols of the Game: A Sporting History of the American Century. Atlanta: Turner Publishing, 1995.
Serbia: The Swimming Pool Alumni
Folley, Malcolm. “War-Torn Past of the Serbian Smasher Ana Ivanovic.” Daily Mail, July 1, 2007. www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-465391/War-torn-past-Serbian-smasher-Ana-Ivanovic.html.
