Healthy + Happy #23: MLK’s Work on the Field
“Dr. King understood with remarkable acuity the political and symbolic power of sports. He understood that the athletic field — and athletes — could be a powerful megaphone for civil rights and racial justice.”
(Dave Zirin, author, The Kaepernick Effect: Taking a Knee, Changing the World)
On Monday (January 16), our country celebrates the life of Martin Luther King Jr., who dedicated his life to ending segregation and promoting civil rights in the U.S.
Studies show that babies can distinguish racial differences as early as six months and internalize racial bias by ages 2 to 4. Although the bias itself is not inherently racist, it can develop into racism through interactions with institutions, media and other people. One of the most effective tools in helping our kids combat racism? Youth sports.
When you think of Dr. King and his work, you might not think of sports — but sports can help advance the same kinds of transformative social change by 1) breaking down barriers, 2) cultivating important conversations and 3) offering a platform for activism.
1. Breaking down barriers.
In the words of Dr. King, “We have to be together before we can learn how to live together.” Sports can bring kids from different contexts, ethnicities and backgrounds together under a shared identity and purpose. Through this connection and friendship on the field, kids learn to accept and appreciate the diverse backgrounds and cultural traditions of their teammates.
2. Cultivating important conversations.
Sports can be an entry point to connecting with youth about privilege and race. The right questions can create opportunities to explore social and cultural topics — a key to combating racism.
3. A platform for activism.
Jackie Robinson, Raven Saunders, Billie Jean King and Colin Kaepernick are just a few examples of athletes who have used their fame to fight for social and political change. These actions have not gone unnoticed. After former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling before his games to protest police violence, kids started doing it, too (as noted in Dave Zirin’s book, The Kaepernick Effect). Student athletes are becoming activists at their schools — so much so that activism is now considered to be a marker of social status.
In the News
School food round-up.
Schools around the U.S. are serving student-created dishes in their lunchrooms — and no surprise, many of them incorporate menu trends currently popular with kids (think: global flavors, eco-friendly eats, bold sauces).
Could 2023 be the year universal meals become a reality? State legislatures are gearing up.
On November 30, Congress passed the The Food Donation Protection Act to allow farmers, businesses and schools to donate food directly to their communities — a potential win for both sustainability and hunger relief.
Worth a discussion.
A recent report uncovered that the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (an organization that trains dietitians and helps shape U.S. food policy) received more than $4 million from big food companies from 2011-2017 — many of which sell ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
That’s not good. If UPFs make up more than 20 percent of your daily calorie intake, your cognitive function may be at risk, according to a new study.
The cardiac arrest and collapse of Damar Hamlin during a recent NFL game has prompted discussion of the quality of medical care available in youth sports.
Religious accommodations in youth sports back in the news: Utah’s state legislature recently passed a resolution on religious accommodations for sports uniforms, but it is not legally binding.
Events, Happenings and Opportunities
On January 19 (1 p.m. EST), the UCONN Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health is hosting a webinar called, “Promises Kept? Holding Corporations Accountable For Their Commitments to Racial Justice.” Learn more.
On May 17-18, the Aspen Institute is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Project Play at the Project Play Summit 2023. Registration now open.
The Outride Fund partners with community nonprofits to promote cycling as a tool to improve social, emotional and cognitive health. RSVP here to join the webinar and Q+A session with the Outride Fund Program Manager.
Join Procurement Pop-up: California Beef, a one-hour virtual event on January 19 at 1:30 PST, to meet beef ranchers, and learn about their farms, products, pricing and distribution.
Have other national events or grant opportunities you'd like us to highlight? Let us know.
We hope you enjoyed Healthy + Happy. As always, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or thoughts.