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September 26, 2020

The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists (BABJ) hosted its September general meeting with a panel devoted to covering athletes and activism. The discussion entitled, “We Won’t Shut up and Dribble,” focused on recent sports activism and the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Due to health concerns surrounding the spread of the COVID-19, BABJ opted for a webinar in an effort to implement social distancing and keep members safe.

ICYMI… you can view the BABJ “We Won’t Shut up and Dribble” panel here via YouTube

 

More than 20 participants signed on for the two hour  interactive information sharing discussion. The panelists included:

PANEL:

DJ Heat, WNBA DJ in the “Wubble.”

Aaron Maybin, Art-Activist and former NFL player.

Robyn Murphy, JRM Consultancy and sports journalist.  

Torrey Smith, Philanthropist and former NFL player.

MODERATOR:

David Steele, Author, “Silent Gesture :The Autobiography of Tommie Smith.” 

The group talked about the impact professional and college athletes can have on social change. BABJ Membership Chair and sports journalist David Steele moderated the discussion. He is the author of “Silent Gesture: The Autobiography of Tommie Smith.” 

The panel started with a review of the June 4, 1967 meeting of top African American athletes to show support for boxer Muhammad Ali’s refusal to fight in Vietnam. The event included former Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, Bill Russell, Lew Alcindor, Carl Stokes, Walter Beach, Bobby Mitchell, Sid Williams, Curtis McClinton, Willie Davis, Jim Shorter, and John Wooten. Then the discussion moved to the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City. That’s where U.S. track and field trailblazers Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fist during the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner.” This Black Power move happened after Smith received the gold medal and Carlos won the bronze for the 200 meter run.

Fast forward to the 2000s and #BlackLivesMatter has been a focal point of many professional and college athlete protests. Athletes wore “I can’t breathe” shirts in support of Eric Garner, a Black man killed during a chokehold attack at the hands of New York Police Department officers. #SayHerName shirts appeared often in 2020 in support of justice for Breonna Taylor, a Black woman shot and killed in her home by Louisville Police Department officers. Tennis champion Naomi Osaka wore seven masks to the US Open that displayed the names of #BlackLivesMatter victims George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery,  Elijah McClain and Breonna Taylor. 

BABJ’s intimate safe space discussion provided and opportunity for the panel to dive into the issues that players are dealing with on and off the field, in the locker rooms and during contract disputes. The struggle to retain their voice to use to advocate for #BlackLivesMatter and appease team management. 

 

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