America loves sports fanatics but hates activists?
The perks of being a professional athlete are enormous. Athletes are among the most elevated in society, from autographs sold on eBay to sponsorships to a poster on kids’ walls. Athletes are more comfortable to identify with than actors and actresses because more people play sports than act in films. And this is why America accepts loves fanatics but hates activists.
Fanatic- disapproving: a person exhibiting excessive enthusiasm and intense uncritical devotion toward some controversial matter (as in religion or politics)
Websters dictionary
American sports have influenced so many traditions that breed and feed sports fanatics. For example;—collecting cards, spending time with loved ones while attending games, and singing the national anthem. Also, add Thanksgiving and Christmas games to the list, and it’s no surprise why fans are passionate about their teams.Â
Black Friday is evidence that people are obsessed with traditional holidays. Even marriage proposals commonly take place at sports stadiums. Sports psychologically enforce a tribe mentality amongst fans of the same team as well as with family members. Ironically, fans who have no personal relationship with a team will claim to be “die-hard” supporters.
 A “die-hard” supporter entails spending thousands of dollars on what is often racist memorabilia. Furthermore, Shouting racist remarks at victims of oppression who the team is mocking shouldn’t be overlooked.Â
Society brainwashes us to be more die-hard fans of the sports team more than ourselves.
Another way fanatics attempt to justify their worship is by saying that sports and politics are unrelated. Games bring people of all color, genders, and creeds together. As if racism doesn’t occur during games by fans and players. As if racist owners haven’t resigned. Would sports be valuable and entertaining without black and brown athletes?Â
Countless communities have suffered from gentrification due to Olympic games or stadiums erected. How much of our tax dollars go towards the building of these stadiums that could fund inner-city schools?  Anything that affects the wellbeing of citizens is politically motivated.
Sports is a business, and in America, companies value money over morals. And this is why America loves sports fanatics but hates activists.
To be a protester, you need a basic understanding of your issue. On the other hand, to be a sports fanatic, understand the rules of the game. How much is studying and reading material required to be a fanatic? How much thinking, if any, is required at all. All you need is a t .v. Debate a sports fanatic on why their mascot is racist and see how irrational and unethical their reasoning is.
And this is why America loves sports fanatics but hates protesters. Their not a threat to the establishment; they support historically racist holidays while the activist doesn’t. Fanatics help the economy while protesters want to revamp it.Â
There are similarities; however, like politics, sports teams have rivals. Every year during the draft, fanatics have blind hope that their team will deliver success. Similarly, people vote for their candidates of choice based on faith.
On its worst day, a sports stadium has more people than a protest, which is alarming. Even worse, over one million people attended the Cleveland Cavaliers parade when they won the championship. If a rally in this corrupt city could get 1/10 of that number, it would be a success.
In Conclusion, the four years Lebron James left Cleveland; numerous businesses went down. Perceived as role models, athletes bring millions of dollars to as well, whereas protesters are negatively stereotyped in the media as non-working complainers leeching off the system. And this is why America loves sports fanatics but hates activists.
How did you become a die-hard sports fan? Let us know in the comment section below.