Kevin Coque Alarcon

Racism in sports has always been a huge issue. Too often athletes and fans alike get away with making racial slurs, and comments without being penalized. Brazil International, Dani Alves, was thrown a banana in Spain during his regular season match with F.C Barcelona. Uruguay international, Luis Suarez, refused to shake Patrice Evra’s Hand during the pre-match line up. UFC fighter, Conor McGregor, made many racial slurs and comments during the press run leading up to his fight with Mayweather.

Racism in sports continues to happen even in 2018. Football player, Colin Kaepernick, recently faced a ton of controversy for kneeling during the national anthem. It’s an interesting change of events when an athlete decides to take a stand on a racial issue and is faced with backlash, even though the culture of sports and entertainment is infested with racism.

Too often this issue is not addressed because sports are supposed to be competitive and trash talking is common; it’s an ethical boundary that keeps getting a pass because of such excuses like it’s, tradition, and that it is part of the game. However, that doesn’t make it right. McGregor making racist comments about a person’s religion and people laughing along and encouraging him only adds to the problem.

Athletes and fans alike should be fined for making racial slurs and comments, being that they are in the public eye, whatever they say or do spreads. Sports and Music through the years have brought people together, allowing athletes, and fans to make racist comments is counter- productive.  Tolerance to racism can lead to violence and the division of people.