In the early 90s, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf had a promising career ahead of him in the NBA as an up-and-coming star. That all changed in 1996 when he refused to stand for the US National Anthem and called the US flag a symbol of oppression. The NBA retaliated by suspending him, and Abdul-Rauf spent the next two decades playing exclusively for international leagues. On this episode of Edge of Sports, Abdul-Rauf looks back on his protest and how engaging the literature of revolutionary icons like Malcolm X influenced his decision. Elsewhere in the episode, Dave Zirin takes aim at Ron DeSantis’s use of sports to stage a political takeover at the New College of Florida, and Dr. Ron Bishop joins the show to discuss how sports media covers mental health.
Studio Production: David Hebden, Cameron Granadino
Post-Production: Taylor Hebden
Audio Post-Production: David Hebden
Opening Sequence: Cameron Granadino
Music by: Eze Jackson & Carlos Guillen
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** (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) **
For more on the role of activism in sports after 2020, check out this episode from the archives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlhygMOKr6k
I'm no sports fan, but I like this show.
Excellent, excellent show. I engage African-Americans randomly in public to talk about voting and how much we need them. They have taught me more about humanity, decency, and temperance than almost all the white folk I've ever know. I hate DeSatan, his supporters and I especially despise 45!
I have such great respect and admiration for brother Mahmoud Abdul Rauf. He is a man's man who is a person of great convictions and stands up for something he truly believes in.
cringe.
These millionaire athletes SHOULD be the first ones to give that respect and thanks
These wealthy athletes etc piss me off with this disrespecting the symbol of our country I get it American government has and still is doing fucked up things all around the world but the reason ppl like me get pissed about not standing or whatever during the national anthem or star spangled banner put it this way this man wouldn’t have been able to make millions playing a fucking game if it wasn’t for our brave military members all have sacrificed one thing or another and some gave the ultimate. sacrifice their lives for ppl to be able to thing like bouncing a ball 🀠and throwing it in a net playing a game and making millions. That’s the reason why we stand and respect the flag is to show respect/ gratitude/love for the sacrifices they made.
Basically, he doesn't stand because he is a revisionist, ignorant of actual history, and a racist as well.
2019 at a rodeo in BC I refused 2 stand 4 the Canadian & usa anthem….an old man approached me and went off on me 4 not standing….I calmly shared "I DO NOT SUPPORT CORRUPTION OR CORRUPT CORPSERATION!!!….HOW DARE U SUPPORT SUCH FILTH "!!!…HE APOLOGIED…& sat down & we had a very deep conversation…
Don't mind your desants point but you are ignorant on the history of education an it's origin. Do over…
Fashionable at the moment. Try going to a Muslim country and insulting their culture. Losing your job would seem like a benefit.
Well you seen what happened to Brittany she sure changed her mind on standing for the anthem after she was arrested in Russia. Didn't she have her on your show
What an amazing man, is Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Thanks so much for the interview.
I'm an older Englishman (I'd not watched much basketball beyond the Harlem Globetrotters in the '70s). Although I've been an MLB fan since the early 00ughts, I've loved discovering other US sports and some of the 'greatness behind the nonsense' through your programme. Cheers for the journalism and hard work.
BTW: I'd love to see you take on some of the realities of the Roberto Clemente humanitarian award. I held Clemente in a similar regard to Harry Belafonte, but the humanitarian award is so terribly sanitised and mainstream political, it seems quite wrong in a world of razor wire down the Rio Grande.
Thank you all for this discussion today.
We all may remember from the past events with reverence of those that came before us.
Fortunately, American histories grow as truth unfolds and as one begins to enqiure with meaningful reflection.
I remember fondly of Coach Bear Bryant, still to me the greatest coach ever in college football.
Does remember what he and the coach from Texas did to get black young men to play at Alabama? I was young and I cried as the blacks stood outside of the stadium at Legion field when the blacks got to play from Texas and therefore opened the door for black young men to play at Alabama. RIP ðŸ™â¤ Paul Bear Bryant
Roll Tide Roll !!!!
Although, I don't watch football anymore. I am happy for all people who watch sports of all kinds , and the dedication of hours an athlete has to apend to achieve the skills to acheive greatness. It is the business model and that of hateful poltics on all sides that leaves me wanting more fairness to all colors and faiths or none to express who they are freely when it comes to sanity for caring for all others.
No vocabulary from the education system…it's a Commerce flag anyway…
ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘🤙🤙🤙🤙ðŸ‘
Great show
If you don't like this country and American culture , leave . Protester , yes ?
If you're a citizen you should stand for the National Anthem of your country. People have died for that flag and standing isn't about showing respect for the people that run your country, it's about showing respect for those that have sacrificed for your country. Does anyone seriously believe sitting during the national anthem will change anything even one tiny little bit?
Love Abdul . He would agree with Desantis on your immoral lgbtqxyz insanity gender studies.
Westerners are wild.
There's not a far stretch from American Imperialism and theocratic imperialism, especially given the scope of history.
But you have to applaud people taking a stance for what they believe.
Your monologue on DeSantis was so well written and presented. thank you.
Only in North Korea. What the US also requires a pledge of allegiance?
I respect the gentleman! Blessings and peace upon your life!!! You are truly an inspiration and a Hero! You went against all odds and won🎉🎉🎉Yes, you are a winner!!!