Many Americans have erupted in outcry denouncing the presence of politics and sports due to the recent “meddling” propelled by the taking the knee initiative. This initiative initially began as an act of protest to the unlawful treatment of black people within the United States. Many have opinions and beliefs regarding whether or not it is right or wrong to do so while addressing whether or not politics and sports should be correlated in any form.

But before we decide to argue both sides, we must first acknowledge the origins of the presence of politics within sports.The concept of political meddling in sports, and vice versa is not a unique concept of today; politics has always been an aspect of sports in the United States.

Throughout history, as race within the United States developed and became a concept, it has and still remains the bedrock of major American political, economic, and social institutions, hence the prevalence of race relations--thus being political-- within American sports. Race has, from the beginning of time, dictated American life, whether that was from where you lived, who you were, who you interacted with, and right down to what sports you played. Once sports developed into major corporational leagues and became lucrative, it represented a developing system of power that tended to place non-people of color within positions of power thus preventing people of color from rising in ranks within sports and sports corporation.

Racism is a characteristic of the United States. This nation was built upon racism. Its institutions and foundations function based on internalized racist rhetoric and beliefs that still happen to maintain and run this nation today.

This is no different in the case of racism within sports and how the politics of the United States (apart from one’s party affiliation) have significantly aided in the long-standing presence of politics within sports. It is the doings of governmental leaders in the past who deterred people of color from succeeding within major sports corporations and leagues, those who passed legal legislation to prevent the athletic success of people of color, and those who, although not on the forefront actively supported such advances within the United States. People of color aren’t responsible for integrating politics into sports, it is the non-people of color governmental leaders both in the past and remaining today who are responsible for doing so through the imposition of racist systematic policies within sports and sports corporations.

Such actions that we see today, specifically within the NFL Take the Knee Initiative was an athlete of color, who for once, acknowledged and worked to make America accountable for its longstanding support and presence of racism, racist rhetoric, and dehumanization of people of color.

So instead of immediately critiquing the “newfound” presence of politics in sports, let’s begin to acknowledge the United States’ already prevalent longstanding presence of political origin within sports corporations and leagues which manifest in their functions today.