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Presentation
The Inescapable Intersection of Race, Law, and Sports: Perspectives from the Field
4th National People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference: People of Color and the Future of Democracy (2019)
  • N. Jeremi Duru
  • Michele Roberts, National Basketball Players Association
  • Woodie Dixon, Pac12 Conference
  • Jeff Whitney, The Sports & Entertainment Group
Abstract
During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s, race and sport were thickly intertwined. Athletes such as Arthur Ashe, Muhammad Ali, John Carlos, and Tommie Smith used their platforms as sports stars to challenge racial and economic injustice. In the decades that followed, that activist spirit largely receded, but over the past several years athlete activism has been on the rise. From Miami Heat players posting a group photo in hooded sweatshirts in protest of Trayvon Martin’s killing to St. Louis Rams’ players running onto the field with hands above their heads in protest of Michael Brown’s killing to Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness of racial inequity in the criminal justice system, athlete activism has sparked national attention and debate. This keynote conversation will feature sports industry professionals and sports scholars exploring the impact of race and racial discord in sport. 
Keywords
  • Race,
  • Law,
  • Sports,
  • Civil Rights Movement,
  • Arthur Ashe,
  • Muhammad Ali,
  • John Carlos,
  • Tommie Smith,
  • Miami Hea,
  • Trayvon Martin,
  • St. Louis Rams,
  • Michael Brown,
  • Colin Kaepernick,
  • racial inequity,
  • criminal justice system,
  • athlete activism
Publication Date
March 24, 2019
Location
American University Washington College of Law
Citation Information
N. Jeremi Duru, Michele Roberts, Woodie Dixon and Jeff Whitney. "The Inescapable Intersection of Race, Law, and Sports: Perspectives from the Field" 4th National People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference: People of Color and the Future of Democracy (2019)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jeremi-duru/120/