Sources of Slavation

Many of the nations greatest African American athletes are seen today as children who are consistently finding themselves in trouble, a lot of which having to do with their fame and money. African American athletes such as Jim Brown, Arthur Ashe, Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, Joe Louis, Julius Erving, Reggie Jackson, Hank Aaron, and Bill Russell are a few athletes that have proven to have a great deeper purpose then sports heroes. These athletes were assistants to Martin Luther King in his attempt to achieve “The Dream”, each of these athletes were seen as sources of salvation mostly by black folks in America.

Jim Brown in 1988 founded the Amer-I-Can Program. He currently works with kids caught up in the gang scene in Los Angeles and Cleveland through this Amer-I-Can program. It is a life management skills organization that operates in inner cities and prisons. While also working to get other great athletes involved in communities and sponsored programs.

Arthur Ashe was diagnosed with HIV during blood transfusions he received after ending his tennis career. Ashe went on to call the attention of the world to AIDS. Two months before his death he founded the Arthur Ashe Institue for Urban Health to help address issues of improper health care.

Jackie Robinson chaired of the NAACP million-dollar Freedom Fund Drive in 1957, and served on the organization’s board until 1967. Robinson also helped found Freedom National Bank, a black-owned and operated commercial bank in Harlem, serving as the bank’s first Chairman of the Board. Robinson also established the Jackie Robinson Construction Company to build housing for low-income families. 

 

Jesse Owens was appointed as a US goodwill ambassador by the government and traveled the world speaking to many companies such as Ford Motor Company and the United States Olympic Committee.

Joe Louis was approved for the Congressional Gold Medal given by the U.S. legislative branch stating that he served as a symbol of strength for the nation. Joe Louis became the first boxer to be honored on a postage stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

 Julius Erving following his basketball career became a business man, owning a large portion of a Coca-Cola bottling plant. He also became the first minority owner of a NASCAR racing team as an attempt to involve the black community in NASCAR. Erving also served on the board of directors of Converse, Darden Restaurants, Saks Incorporated, and Sports Authority. 

 

Reggie Jackson, Mr. October, worked as a field reporter and color commentator for ABC Sports. Jackson also was a popular actor following his career, he stared several major films, even as a host for Nickelodeon.

Hank Aaron served as the Braves vice president and director of player development, one of the minorities in MLB upper level management, and served as a senior vice president assistant to the Braves president. Aaron also was the corporate vice president of community relations for TBS. Aaron was also presented with the Presidential Citizens Medal by President William Clinton. Then later on went to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom given to him by George W. Bush. Hank Aaron also owns Mini, Land Rover, Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda dealerships throughout Georgia.

Bill Russell wrote a book on dedicated to the victims of racial abuse called, Go Up for Glory. Russell also was active in the Black Power movement and supported Muhammad Ali’s decision to refuse to be drafted. Russell’s life was marked by a battle against racism as he was a frequent first hand victim of racism.

Each of these athletes has had a greater purpose then the simple sports heroes they were portrayed as. They were seen as sources of salvation all across the United States, sports wasn’t something these athletes did for exercise or entertainment, sports was a component for freedom. “Its been the voice we’ve found through our arms and legs when our mouths have been silenced.(3)” The job these athletes carried was much more significant then what they were doing in their sport. These athletes were the beginning to change in America and represent a coming of African Americans in America.