(Don’t) Shut Up and Play: A History of Black Athletic Activism in the United States

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Join the Lafayette men’s soccer LEAD Council in welcoming Dr. Jermaine Scott, assistant professor of history at Florida Atlantic University, for a presentation entitled “(Don’t) Shut Up and Play: A History of Black Athletic Activism in the United States.”

In recent years, African American athletes used their power to fight against the persistence of racism in the United States. Colin Kaepernick galvanized a movement of athletes to challenge police brutality and the oppression of working-class people of color. Since then, Black athletes in all major sports have continued the tradition. Yet this is not the first time Black athletes took a stand against racism. The history of Black athletic activism stretches back to the beginning of the 20th century and has significantly shaped the character of U.S. racial politics. This presentation accounts for this history, reveals the ways Black athletes have historically tapped into their arsenal of power to resist racism both on and off the field of play, and offers suggestions on ways to take action.