Inquiry Practice #3: Sports Celebrities

Last updated over 4 years ago

1 question

Note from the author:

Students use sources to answer the question: What risks do celebrities take by taking a stance on a public issue?

Instructions

Question: What do celebrities risk by taking a public stance on social issues?

Note: These are sports celebrities and remember, we do not need to agree or disagree with their actions. We need to determine what taking a stance on an issue (war, labor, human rights, etc) can do to the career of celebrities. 

Type your answer below all of the sources. Make sure to follow the writing rubric.

After looking at all of the sources below, you will choose THREE of the sources to complete the Historical Thinking Worksheet. This worksheet will be provided in class.

Source #1: Muhamad Ali Refuses Army Induction in 1967
ABC News. News Segment. 1967

THIS IS A VIDEO SOURCE. YOU MUST CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO WATCH THE VIDEO. 

Click here for the source:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/muhammad-ali-refuses-army-induction-1967-39593864 

Background: Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer, activist, entertainer, poet, and philanthropist. Nicknamed The Greatest, he is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sporting figures of the 20th century, and is frequently ranked as the best heavyweight boxer of all time and greatest athlete of the century. (From Wikipedia)

Source #2: Protest at the 1968 Olympics
History.com Updated 2021

Click here for the full article:
https://www.history.com/news/1968-mexico-city-olympics-black-power-protest-backlash

Note: Pay attention to how the Austrailian athlete was treated as well as the two Black American Athletes. 

Source #3: Michel Jordan and Nike
Excerpt from the Chicago Tribune, 2009

Click here for the article: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/120T9ncMgOUUYfRj8TOMH4Kf7Zno8XQJy/view?usp=sharing

Notes: If you would like some stats on Michael Jordan and a quick background, CLICK HERE

Source #4: Colin Kapernick Kneeling for the Anthem
The Washington Post, 2020

Click here for the article:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/06/01/colin-kaepernick-kneeling-history/

Note: Pay attention to the timeline of events and how various groups reacted to him playing football for the NFL. Once again, you can agree or disagree, but we are looking at how his decsision to take a public stance affected his celebrity status. 