Engaging in social change: Athletes as Activists 

According to San Jose State University’s Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change (ISSSSC), sport is a powerful platform for social changeSport connects us across cultures, social class, geographic region and political and religious affiliations. Because of sport’s mass appeal, athletes can amplify questions about our humanity in ways that other arenas cannot. 

Celebrate National Physical Fitness & Sports Month this May by reading about the many athletes who have fought very publicly for social justice. This booklist on “Athletes as Activists” is a good start.  

Then on Monday May 10 at 7 pm, join us for a discussion about the history of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, the silent gesture salute of Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, and the legacy of athlete activism and social change. We’re excited to have Dr. Akilah Carter-Francique and Dr. Amy August as our panelists for the discussion. Respectively, they are the Executive Director and Assistant Director for the Institute for the Study of Sport, Society, and Social Change (ISSSSC) at San Jose State University. Registration is required to join the discussion. 

RSVP: https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/events/606d0fd3998bd544009af173 

This program will be hosted on Zoom. A link will be sent to registered participants by noon on the day of the event. Registration will close at that time.