With Trayvon Martin tribute, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James take strong position - The Washington Post: The spirit of leadership that many African American athletes exhibited during the civil-rights era has all but disappeared. As leagues prospered and players’ salaries and endorsement opportunities skyrocketed, most high-profile black athletes were unwilling to risk their celebrity status — and multimillion-dollar endorsement contracts — to attempt to effect social change.
NBA great Michael Jordan summed up the thinking with his infamous quote after declining to support a Democratic candidate, and civil-rights pioneer, during a 1990 senate race: “Republicans wear sneakers, too.” Perhaps the most iconic figure in sports history put his corporate pitchman status first; it figured other African American superstars would, too.
