Happy Cinco de Mayo! Unless you've been living under a rock, haven't turned on the TV, or both, you are aware of the new, controversial Arizona law allowing police to check if you're "legal" at, pretty much, any given time. The Phoenix Suns, however, have decided to share their political views by wearing "Los Suns" jerseys tonight in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals. That's a big forum to share opinions on. Is it the right one, though? Should there be seperation of sport and state?
At times, sports have been used for more than just entertainment (and betting). In some cases, they've been used by politicians to make a statement. During the Cold War, President Jimmy Carter ordered a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. As you can imagine, an Olympic games without the United States is like cereal without milk - decent, but could be much better. That was countered by a Soviet boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. In other cases, commonfolk have used sports to make their voices heard. Nearly two years ago, on the same stage, the Beijing Olympics was shadowed by the protests for more basic rights in Communist China.
Sports have also been used for genuinely good political purposes, too. The most notable demonstration of this is Nelson Mandela's unification of South Africa through rugby, as documented on the big screen in Invictus and on the small screen in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, The 16th Man.
The most similar and recent example that I can think of that corresponds with the "Los Suns" declaration, is members of the Iranian national soccer team wearing green wrist bands during a match in support of the revolutionary "Green Movement." In an attempt to show that they too were "Down with the dictator" Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, they also empathized with plenty of Iranian people. It seems like the same situation is going on here. The Suns represent the many American people who view the Arizona legislation as unconstitutional and/or going against American values.
At times, sports have been used for more than just entertainment (and betting). In some cases, they've been used by politicians to make a statement. During the Cold War, President Jimmy Carter ordered a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. As you can imagine, an Olympic games without the United States is like cereal without milk - decent, but could be much better. That was countered by a Soviet boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. In other cases, commonfolk have used sports to make their voices heard. Nearly two years ago, on the same stage, the Beijing Olympics was shadowed by the protests for more basic rights in Communist China.
Sports have also been used for genuinely good political purposes, too. The most notable demonstration of this is Nelson Mandela's unification of South Africa through rugby, as documented on the big screen in Invictus and on the small screen in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, The 16th Man.
The most similar and recent example that I can think of that corresponds with the "Los Suns" declaration, is members of the Iranian national soccer team wearing green wrist bands during a match in support of the revolutionary "Green Movement." In an attempt to show that they too were "Down with the dictator" Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, they also empathized with plenty of Iranian people. It seems like the same situation is going on here. The Suns represent the many American people who view the Arizona legislation as unconstitutional and/or going against American values.
But then there's the other side of the arguement. Should the Suns be wearing the "Los Suns" jerseys? Definitely. If not to protest the immigration law, then certainly it's more than appropriate to wear the jerseys on Cinco de Mayo. Then again, the Suns let it be known that the law was the major reason for wearing the jerseys. Is it ethical, or even more so, is it appropriate of a sports franchise to get involved in politics?
Each situation is different. With the Iranian soccer team, election-rigging warrants political rebellion. But Arizona lawmakers and representatives - the ones who devised the law - for the most part, are chosen by the people. However, the law targets illegal immigrants, who clearly didn't have a vote. Personally, I believe that in a country like the United States, the Suns have every right to exhibit their freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Plus, our nation's president meets with the champions of major sports, so there's really no issue in the political aspect.
