Title: Condemning racism in sports.
Policy area: Sports and Recreation

Summary:
This resolution states that athletes have the right to exercise their right to freedom of speech. It condemns racism, and urges public officials to encourage diversity, in sports.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 283 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 283

                      Condemning racism in sports.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 2, 2019

Mr. Espaillat submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
                      Condemning racism in sports.

Whereas racism has historically influenced the infrastructure in major sporting 
        industries since its inception, after the 2016 election there seems to 
        be a reemergence of racist rhetoric in global, national, and local 
        discourse, and sports are not immune to this troubling trend;
Whereas the roots of racism in sports date back to their genesis, and perhaps no 
        example of clearing racial hurdles compares to the story of Jackie 
        Robinson who was the first African American to break the so-called color 
        line to play in all-White Major League Baseball as a member of the 
        Brooklyn Dodgers and whose sacrifice and perseverance in the face of 
        such visceral hate in response to his participation is remembered as a 
        historic triumph for African Americans;
Whereas Willie O'Ree became the first Black player in the history of the 
        National Hockey League playing for the Boston Bruins, earning the mantra 
        as the ``Jackie Robinson of hockey'', and is still active in promoting 
        diversity in the sport;
Whereas policy enhancements, such as the Rooney Rule in the National Football 
        League (NFL), have progressed inclusion and diversity in sports leagues 
        and would potentially have a significant impact if applied to 
        organizations in other industries;
Whereas accounts of both blatant and subtle racism have justifiably captured the 
        attention of fans when publicly disclosed in years past, and the recent 
        hateful and unapologetic tropes cast by public figures, particularly the 
        President, have elevated the issue of racism in sports to a national 
        discussion;
Whereas the University of Florida has recorded 52 acts of racism in sports in 
        2018, an increase of 11 compared to the previous year;
Whereas internationally the number of instances of racism in sports more than 
        doubled in 2018 compared to the prior year;
Whereas within the last month the Utah Jazz, of the National Basketball 
        Association (NBA), levied a lifetime ban against a fan who deliberately 
        and repeatedly called NBA star Russell Westbrook ``boy'' leading up to a 
        game in Salt Lake City, Utah;
Whereas athletes in several sports leagues who were initially inspired by NFL 
        player Colin Kaepernick chose to exercise their constitutional right by 
        abstaining from participating in the national anthem to shed light on 
        the killing of unarmed Black men by police officers and the widespread 
        injustices that minorities still face;
Whereas xenophobic, misogynistic, and racist rhetoric should not be condoned in 
        any circumstance, a basic value that has been ignored by the President 
        when he aims hateful comments at athletes of color in his public 
        comments on the internet and at rallies;
Whereas the President's behavior seems to have had a spill-over effect on others 
        who now feel enticed to propel racism and hate speech in the name of 
        sports rivalries;
Whereas players like Russell Westbrook have received fines for responding to 
        fans' racist, threatening, or antagonistic comments;
Whereas racism has been documented as a lingering problem in some locker rooms 
        over the years, and closeted racism has recently become an issue at the 
        ownership level;
Whereas Donald Sterling, who had owned the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, was 
        captured on tape making denigrating, racist comments about African 
        Americans and NBA legend Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson, Jr.;
Whereas the media's role in advancing racial undertones and race-based 
        expectations continues to be latent, such as when Serena Williams, who 
        is hailed as the best female tennis player of all time, received 
        racially charged press coverage for her passion and drive described as 
        ``outbursts'', while her White colleagues often do not receive such 
        criticism for similar displays of passion;
Whereas debate has sparked around the Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins 
        for their use of logos viewed as racist, demeaning, and inconsiderate;
Whereas the Washington Redskins owner has refused to entertain the idea of 
        changing the name of the team, while the Cleveland Indians announced the 
        decision to remove their controversial team logo from all uniforms but 
        continue to sell merchandise emblazoned with the logo;
Whereas the continued success of athletes of color over the years has led to a 
        series of successes by players, including former NFL quarterback Doug 
        Williams' success winning a Super Bowl, shattering the construct 
        previously subscribed to by NFL coaches and scouts, and diminishing the 
        negative, inaccurate connotations previously held against African-
        American quarterbacks;
Whereas, during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, FIFA imposed penalties against Russia 
        for its fans' racist behavior aimed at France's players of color;
Whereas because the popularity of sports has a wide reach that expands 
        demographics, sports have a unique potential to steer the conversation 
        around discrimination and racism;
Whereas sports have always been based on the principle of a level playing field 
        in which achievement is not based on race, ethnicity, or religion, but 
        simply on a player's ability; and
Whereas major sports leagues have sought to expand diversity and invest in 
        communities of color, but there is still more work to be done around 
        altering the public discourse on race and racism: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) athletes have the right to exercise their 
        constitutionally protected right to freedom of speech;
            (2) racism in sports must be combatted and unequivocally 
        condemned; and
            (3) public officials should use their platform to encourage 
        diversity in sports and highlight role models for young members 
        of minority communities.
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