African American Athletes During the 1980s

Presenter: Sir Gomez

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 20-21

Semester: Fall

Department: American Multicultural Studies

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1lIoO6PM4VjlaYpwMtynvqWgpbQxV0fd_

Abstract:
This presentation is about African American athletes and the impact they had during the 1980s and future generations. In a decade that was dominated by pop culture, athletes went almost unnoticed. Not only did African American athletes impact on field performance, but they also left lasting impressions off the field as well. Their biggest impacts were breaking limitations, establishing importance of education, and speaking out on current events. African American athletes today can play any sport, and position, that they choose to without recieveing heavy criticism. In the 1980s, they were limited to what positions they could play because many did not believe that they could handle the positions dominated by white athletes. Today, many African American athletes have set up foundations to provide the youth with better education. During the 80s, many black, college athletes were just taking classes so that they could play sports and not get the most oeut of education. African American athletes are finally using their voices to speak out against racial injustices in America. Before they have always been silent and told to stick to sports.