Dave Zirin: Debunking the Myth that Sports and Politics Don't Overlap

Sports has a rich tradition of resistance politics. Such sports luminaries as Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Billie Jean King and Pat Tillman all have their political side, and their actions have been integral to this country's struggle for racial equality, gender equality and peace at home and abroad. Sports creates a safe language to discuss many otherwise difficult topics—topics that team owners hate because they break the apolitical rules of "jockocracy."

In this video, The Nation's Dave Zirin, guest editor of the recent Sports Issue, dissects the overlaps between sports and progressive culture, urging the next generation of both sports fans and progressives to heed these intersecting histories.

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[lewis20002000]

This guy is right on, Sports has everything in it, and whatever we call it, some kind of sport will always exist.

[SMoldie]

@911truthncDotOrg Muhammed Ali is a classic example of a global sportsman who transcended sport by speaking his truth, in a time when black men where still being lynched in your country. His actions rather than his words means he will be a figure relevant historically. Its truly shocking no black athlete since has had that impact. I suppose the college system weeds out out spoken, intelligent men and dare I say women athletes.

[SMoldie]

@911truthncDotOrg Thanks! I try:D I expect more banality as your economy limps into a double dip recession. Oh well there's always the new Football/basketball/poker seasons to look forward, think of all those journalists, spouting inane drivel. Oh well, it keeps them out of murdochs evil empire;o

[911truthncDotOrg]

@SMoldie " the equivalent of the Roman 'bread and circus'"

Well said!

[911truthncDotOrg]

@SMoldie " the racial make up of the players and the total lack of political awareness of the players and there potential power politically"

From my point of view, players or any popular figure who would have the balls to speak against criminal would be routinely dealt with a parade of attack poodles and the end of their careers. If you are popular, you are an agent of the criminal class. It's all no accident. Can you spell "Mind control" for the populace?

Keep the focus on materialism!

[SMoldie]

@911truthncDotOrg Sport it would seem in the US, sport is the great pacifier of the masses, i.e. the equivalent of the Roman 'bread and circus' . It would seem the banality of those sports channels/radio talk show churning out nonsense pacifies those people whom have no voice politically and rather than watching the slow decline of the US economy, would rather watch inane journalist prattle about pre season trades, rather than fight for equality or Federal competence.

[SMoldie]

The fascinating thing with US sport, is the banality, yet the total news overkill, of certain sports that negates all other news on the agenda. The astonishing thing about the most popular sports in the US, is the racial make up of the players and the total lack of political awareness of the players and there potential power politically. 'Bread and circus' is the best analogy for the US experience of sport, any Roman would find the current stadium experience rather familiar .

[singularityneuroman1]

"Most owners are roughly to the right of atila the hun." LOL

[DaHonestAbe]

This is absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for posting!

[911truthncDotOrg]

Sports a common point of conservation. OK, however when sports and small talk are the only topics socially acceptable. It becomes social control. People from my experience are self-policing. Topics outside main stream are not politically correct.

This make life SO BORING!! Sports and everything on TV is a distraction from what is really important. Getting rid of the banksters!!!! People letting their selves, children, loved ones get robbed from the criminal class.