Speakers: Kyle Jaimes, Kaylee Chicoski, Kayla Henderson, and Nataliya Bredikhina
Historically, sport has developed as a fascinating component of societies - a platform that has reflected social values, norms, achievements, and flaws. It is not an accident that throughout history, from Jackie Robinson to Colin Kaepernick, athletes have had a unique opportunity to utilize their positions to spark positive social change around the world. Their actions and initiatives have provoked intense discussions on topics that are often omitted in our daily lives.
As a group, we will dive into topics surrounding athletes who have challenged the status quo and delve deeper into the implications they had on not only sports, but also society as a whole. We will consider a multitude of issues found at the intersection of sport and social reality, including race relations, social stratification, and construction of gender, as well as the ways in which prominent athletes have tried to use their exposure to tackle those problems.
While in our dialogue, everyone’s opinion will be challenged and respected, we will try to push our audience and ourselves to reflect on the unique and complex role of athletes within the modern social realm. Together, we will Level the Playing Field and our audience will walk away with a greater understanding of social responsibility and its’ relationship with sports.
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