Stephen Curry, Kamala Harris, and the Return of Political Activism to Stadiums — Andscape

PARIS – For half an hour in a packed room Thursday, U.S. men’s basketball players Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant answered questions on their Olympic experience, talking about the opening ceremony on the Seine, trips to the Olympic Village, the competitions Team USA is ready to compete in.

Finally, I made a decision to ask Curry a matter I knew was near and dear to him—and his politics. I asked about his friendship with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Harris found herself in the political highlight on Sunday when President Joe Biden made a shocking announcement that he was withdrawal from the presidential raceShortly afterward, Biden said he supported Harris as his successor.

The vp was born in Oakland, California, served as California attorney general and was elected a U.S. senator. Most notably, Harris is a longtime fan of the Golden State Warriors.

On Thursday, Curry said he plans to return the support.

“It’s a big, big deal, to say the least,” Curry said. “She represents the Bay Area. She’s been a huge support for us, and so we want to bring that energy back to her.”

Curry said he was just excited “knowing that obviously we’re here representing our country and it’s a very monumental next few months for our country and where we’re headed. So I’m just excited for the journey that lies ahead.”

What I find promising about Curry’s unwavering support is that his words — and perhaps his presidential campaign — are reactivating a community of skilled athletes that has remained largely dormant of late.

Without life-and-death issues to respond to, and because of concerns about personal brands that breed caution, many athletes have gone underground. The upcoming presidential election is a possible tsunami that may hopefully galvanize the community.

Four years ago, this community, especially the NBA and NFL, became a robust public force supporting, if not shaping, protest. WNBA players famously defeated the Republican candidate for senator players found problematic. Protests by NFL players who knelt during the playing of the national anthem became so intense that then-President Donald Trump scolded team owners, urging them to keep their players in line.

While I’m a proponent of political activism and messaging amongst athletes, it’s not only basketball and football players who will likely be bringing politics to the arena this time. Some MLB players have already thrown their hats into the ring in support of Trump through their very own on-field gestures, though they’ve denied that’s what they’re doing.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls had to explain the gesture he made on Sunday when he seemed to be imitating Trump’s response to an attempted assassination attempt during a campaign event in Pennsylvania on July 13. After scoring a double-double against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Walls raised his fist and appeared to mouth the words “fight, fight, fight,” an apparent allusion to Trump’s gesture shortly after being shot in the right ear.

Walls said the gesture was not intended to be a show of support for the former president, but of course it was.

On Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals celebrated a victory after outfielder Alec Burleson hit a house run. Burleson’s home run jog and the Cardinals’ dugout celebration appeared to show Burleson and many of his teammates holding their ears with one hand and raising their opposite fists in the air. Another Cardinals player, outfielder Lars Nootbaar, also made the gesture as he circled the bases after hitting a house run in the next inning.

Burleson is DJ and Cardinals designated player Matt Carpenter he called the celebration an “inside joke” Burleson explained that the cupped hand and raised arm were intended to mimic the movements a DJ would make.

Normal.

On the other hand, it’s all good. I’m waiting for all skilled athletes to use their platforms and visibility to support the candidate and promote the cause. This should lead to some very full of life discussions in the locker room/clubs.

The upcoming presidential campaign, with Harris likely to be at the center of it, will likely be so rife with misogyny and racism that nobody — including athletes — will have the option to stay on the sidelines.

“It’s certainly a very interesting time for our country,” Curry said. “The fact that President Biden has endorsed her, and Vice President Harris is trying to bring her energy to this campaign, and hopefully she wins the election.”

Harris recently visited Team USA’s training camp in Las Vegas ahead of earlier this week’s events. Especially in a campaign where the young, undecided and uninterested could help determine the election, well-informed athletes like Curry could be beneficial assets.

“I hope it’s a great way to do something that allows us to continue to bring the country together,” Curry said Thursday. “Sports brings a lot of people together, and for her at this point, knowing what’s ahead, it’s just about positive energy and optimism, knowing how divided our country is right now.”

The NBA season will start in October. The NFL will likely be in full force in November. Everyone will likely be selecting sides. After a period of dormancy, let’s hope political activism returns to the stadium.

On Thursday, U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr made his preference clear. “Kamala Harris is a great candidate and I will support her,” he said.

I look forward to seeing athletes return to the political arena.