In class recently we discussed Michael Jordan and his changing roles throughout his career. Jordan has been a star athlete, a role model, and a huge product endorser. In each of these parts that he played, he changed the way people see that role. For example, Jordan was, and arguably still is, the biggest star that basketball has ever seen. He became one of the most popular black role models of his time. He changed the way athletes are marketed by becoming the face of several products and brands. I bet anyone reading this can name at least a couple of the products that MJ has endorsed over the years. Jordan also expanded his career by acting in commercials and movies, as well as venturing into baseball for a short while.
With all of the different roles Jordan has played, people see him as an icon in both sports and the media. With Jordan’s celebrity came the pressure to act politically. People expected Jordan to champion the cause of the underrepresented black community, since he was a famous black athlete in a position to be heard by the masses. Jordan stayed neutral though, which caused some outrage among people who thought he should use his fame to make a difference. For example, people were extremely disappointed and upset when Jordan did not publicly support a black political candidate in his home state.
I think that sports celebrities like Michael Jordan have the power to sway public opinion. However, I don’t think that they should have to be political icons as well. Maybe Jordan did not know enough about the candidates or the situations to support one side. And maybe he was focusing on winning basketball games, since that is what the fans really expect him to do. I know that from time to time when I see an athlete being interviewed about politics or social issues, I don’t find that they are a knowledgeable, credible source. So I think that while MJ could have used his celebrity to influence public opinion, he has no direct responsibility to do so. After all, like Jordan himself said, he just game to play the game.
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I agree with you in the fact that it may be unnecessary for athletes to affiliate with political candidates. As you said an athlete has other things to focus on like winning games rather than who they will support politically. With the strong influence athletes have over the public I think they may wrongfully influence public opinion when they may not be completely informed of the candidate or the issues. Of course on the flip side it may be smart for a political candidate to gain public support from an athlete in an attempt to influence the public and gain votes. So while it may not be necessary for an athlete to affiliate with a candidate or certain issue, it may be a good way to get votes.
ReplyDeleteI agree that athletes are not always the most knowledgeable persons to speak out about a cause. I have heard Billie Jean King champion causes that many people in academia would disagree with (e.g., "No Child Left Behind." I have also been thinking about Jordan in light of the recent news about Tiger Woods, wondering how Jordan kept his private life so private, given that there were rumors that he was involved in affairs as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well. I don't feel that Jordan or any other athlete should ever feel obligated to participate in politics or back certain issues. At the same time, there are some celebrities that do take advantage of their position to back political issues, even presidential candidates. We saw this a lot with our most recent election. I can't really say that they shouldn't be doing that because we all the right to voice our opinions. However, I do feel like athletes and other celebrities should be more careful when throwing out their opinions because they've got many fans that will be listening.
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