Social Change and Sport Should Not Be a Selective Process

Where were the protesters for Derrion Albert?

Where were the individuals urging the national populace to boycott Chicago until the city got a handle on acts of violence and murder that has continued to run rampant through the streets?

In the aftermath of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signing into law a bill that makes the failure to carry immigration papers a crime, millions of Americans, politicians, activists and Hollywood entertainers spoke out against the controversial law, saying it violated civil liberties and promoted racial profiling of those who were of Hispanic descent.

The Phoenix Suns made a statement by donning 'Los Suns' jerseys during Game Two of the Western Conference semifinals versus the San Antonio Spurs to take their own political stance regarding the matter. The Spurs say they will wear similar jerseys as the series shifts to Texas.

I am all for some sort of immigration reform that is both fair to the nation and to those from other lands who wish to seek residency in the United States. However, I am not in favor of political posturing with major college and professional sports being used as puppets to further the cause.

Sure, sport does play an important role in America, but the selective nature in which games, leagues and athletes are used to cultivate political or social change is hypocritical at best.

There are cries for Major League Baseball to consider moving the 2011 MLB All-Star Game from Phoenix because of the new Arizona law. Some are wanting the NCAA to step in an move the BCS National Championship Game from Glendale until the law is repealed. The Arizona Diamondbacks have felt the brunt of this issue first hand while on a road trip. Hundreds of individuals have protested and picketed outside ballparks involving scheduled Diamondback games.

The likelihood that moving these events will result in significant change in the way Arizona interprets and enforces the immigration law is slim to none. Wearing uniforms with Spanish words displayed on them will have little effect as well.

South Carolina Rep. David Weeks, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, told The Associated Press in March that he doesn't think there are enough votes in the Legislature to get lawyer Leah B. Moody appointed to a full term on the 22-member board next month. She was only black board member at the University of South Carolina.

Showing concern for his colleague, Weeks urged black lawmakers to contact African-American high school athletes and tell them to not attend the SEC school with the hopes of saving Moody's position.

Now the question I have is were these politicians going to help provide financial assistance for the student-athletes to attend other universities? Or was the Weeks camp only using the athletes as tool for political gain and not for the greater good of the university or the youngsters themselves?

That is what I mean about selective use of sport in this country to make a statement when it comes to social issues.

Why were these influential leagues, teams, journalists and politicians not at the forefront of calling for some sort of boycott of Chicago pro sports in the wake of Albert, a 16-year-old high school student being slaughtered in front of his own school last September? 

Not one member of the Cubs, Sox, Bears, Bulls or Blackhawks uttered a single word about the murder. Mayor Richard Daley expressed his disappointment surrounding the horrible events, but he was also feverishly preparing a 2016 Summer Olympic plan to present to the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Still, however, no rallies held outside Solider Field, nor marches down Rush Street or special gear on the backs of athletes in honor of Albert and the nearly 100 school aged kids killed as the result of violence on Chicago the last two years.

Why did not anyone say, citizens of this country will not support a Chicago Olympic bid until neighborhoods are not littered with the bodies of dead teenagers?

Where are the activists and athletes when hundreds of teachers get laid off, and vital school programs are cut due to damaging budget cuts nationwide which has a negative affect on communities at large?

When the unemployment rate has swollen to nearly 10 percent across the county, where is the cavalry?

Don't get it twisted. I commend those who are willing to play active roles on both sides of the immigration issue in Arizona. However, let's be wise to ensure we continue to have this fervor in heightening the awareness of other social ills and not pick and choose our battles because it is convenient or we can profit from it by attaching major sport to it.