Should Our Children As Athletes Speak On Social Issues ... Parent's Perspective

Parents this is a question I believe we should take serious and put some real consideration behind it.  Although the stigma of a dumb jock is a conversation of the past.  Many of our young men and ladies are still looked at as being less than the superior students they are.  Anytime they can hold down their great academic performance in the classroom and produce exceptional on the court or the field of play, we have to be talking about a superior human.  Their academic studies are being monitored closer than the average student's grades.  Social issues are in their face more now than it ever has been.  With the introduction of social media and its various outlets, our children can not avoid from being bombarded by today's social issues.   Our children who are heavily involved in sports are the leaders of tomorrow.  From the youngest one in middle school to the oldest one playing professionally.  Their platform must be developed to identify and be prepared to address areas of concern, from a positive perspective.  I recently had the opportunity to watch a panel discussion, which was held at San Jose State University it addressed a very real topic of "Sport, Activism, and Social Change".  On this panel were noted athletes such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA HOF, six-time league MVP, Jim Brown, NFL HOF, three-time league MVP, Anquan Boldin, 2015 NFL Man of the Year, Danielle Slaton, 2000 Olympics silver medalist, soccer, Tommie Smith, 1968 Olympics gold medalist, 200 meters, Takeo Spikes, two-time NFL All-Pro, and Chris Webber, five-time NBA All-Star