Basketball Rocks The Vote For Obama

Yes this is still the Dino Nation Blog. But today I wanted to talk about the fact that people we see in the NBA have been brought into political process perhaps like never before.  Obama has had support from people we know from the NBA from current players to NBA Legends and even famous fans like Spike Lee. The stars of today’s NBA learned about civil rights in the 60’s in a history book. People like Martin Luther King Jr. are part of the reason they can have the lives they have today. They are part of Dr. King’s Dream of 45 years ago. Successful black men that have been given much means and it would not be possible if not for people like King Jr. But it is not often we see athletes of any race get into the politics of the real world. But the true historic nature of Obama having the chance to be the first ever African-American to become President of the United States has got them involved.  When Ron Artest is getting engaged into politics you know something unique is happening.

We normally see Charles Barkley on TNT not CNN. But this week we did see him on CNN from the arena that is home to the Denver Nuggets. But this week it was the host to the Democratic National Convention that would make it official that Obama the Democratic Nominee for Preisdent. Barkley is someone that has shown an interest in politics. He renewed an interest in perhaps taking a run at being Governor of his home state of Alabama. But he was in Denver to see history and support Barack Obama. To see Barkley and what he had to say on CNN and a story on his renewed thoughts of being Governor of Alabama links are below:

Barkley on CNN from SLAM  Barkley For Governer?

Another NBA hall of Famer is on the Obama bandwagon as well. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the all time leading scorer in NBA history. A very different man from Sir Charles. But he too is caught up by Obama mania as well. Here is a story about this as well:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar For Obama

Even Knick Super Fan Spike Lee was in Denver. Lee has always been someone who through his work as a director has done movies based on blacks in America. He was the director of the Movie Malcolm X that told the story of the 60’s black rights leader. If you want to learn some history go rent the movie and learn about Malcolm X. It was one of Lee’s best movies.

But the Obama movement has reached some of the youngest players in the NBA as well. Greg Oden who will finally be starting his NBA career this season is also on the record as supporting Barack Obama.  He did so in his own blog (Greg Oden On Obama) expressing his feelings for all his fans to see. The fact that NBA stars be they legends like Barkley or young stars like Oden will have an impact. That is what makes it something that makes it a topic to be mentioned here. If I wanted to I am sure many more folks with ties to the NBA could have been listed as well.  The Dream Team won a Gold Medal for the United States but the fact the NBA is making voting matter to younger fans is just as important. True this is Canada and it is not our country directly being impacted. But just the example of NBA players making the fact of voting and becoming politically involved can impact on fans of any nation. This Dino Nation has no elections but I do feel that politics even though we may hate them, they do impact on us.

Don’t think so?  Many can point a finger of blame at David Stern for the move of a franchise out of Seattle.  That is one take on it. But there is another way to look at it. The local and state governments made a choice not to invest money in keeping the Sonics in Seattle. That is the choice they made for the people of Seattle. If you were a Sonic Fan and voted these people to power you must look to them as part of the reason. If you did not vote at all than you can not blame anyone without blaming yourself first. The issue of tax dollars for pro sports is a whole different issue for another day. However that is your example of how politics and the people we elect to office do impact on sports every once in awhile.

Whatever the reason that is bringing athletes of the NBA to become politically active it really doesn’t matter. If this makes one kid that watches basketball understand that voting matters it has been worth it. Obama win or lose has brought younger people into the political arena. He is counting on people in the hip hop generation many of whom are also basketball fans to support him. Young people are often taken for granted in the political system. They are the worst when it comes to voter turn out.

The freedom we enjoy in a democratic society is what allows me to write this blog each day. It allows you the freedom to read it. Do not lose sight of those two facts. We all take the Raptors and Basketball seriously. It is important to us all. In my case I write about it and in yours you read about it. The truth is that sports is not a life and death type thing. The world we live in can be that. Here in Canada we may have our own election. Were you aware of that? If you were good for you. If you were not it is not a knock against you. But pay attention to the world around you and take part in the process. I can understand the apathetic nature to politics and the system of Government. But the freedom you have to vote is your voice. You should use that voice to have your say just the same as you use it to have your say on the NBA and the Raptors. Just something to think about beyond basketball today.

Obama has run with a slogan of “Yes We Can”. To often in this world not enough people take that attitude. Thankfully I believe it, the idea of “Yes We Can”, If I did not this blog would not have been able to do the things it has. Take inspiration from where ever you can find it. The events in Denver last night were historic and something that all people of any race can understand the significant moment in history that it was. This was far from what you will normally read here but I hope it made you think and you enjoyed it all the same.

Tags: Barack Obama, Charles Barkley, David Stern, Election 08, Greg Oden, Kareem Abdul Jabber, Sonics, Spike Lee