Abstract
Beginning in 2016, a media narrative developed in the United States as former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick drew more attention by continuing to protest racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem. That narrative equated the actions of the multi-million dollar quarterback to two blue-collar runners from almost 50 years earlier. Kaepernick was seen as a kind-of heir to Tommie Smith and John Carlos, both of whom were expelled from the 1968 Mexico City Olympics after their black power salute during the 200-meters medal ceremony. This paper examines that narrative and suggests it is flawed. There are critical differences among the men, most especially evident in their upbringing, and between what Kaepernick did in 2016 and what Smith and Carlos did 48 years earlier; these differences mitigate the association between the men and their actions. Moreover, the media reaction to what took place in 2016 and 1968 was different.
Presenters
Anthony MorettiAssociate Professor, Communication and Organizational Leadership, Robert Morris University, Pennsylvania, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Sporting Cultures and Identities
KEYWORDS
Colin Kaepernick, Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Athlete Protest, Media Reporting
