MLB's black players can't speak out like other athletes
Vernon Wells is a former three-time All-Star outfielder and MLB insider for theScore. The following is from a conversation with theScore's Dan Toman.
I wouldn't take a knee during the anthem if I was still playing.
I wouldn't raise my fist or hold anyone's hand if I wanted to protest something. Athletes can speak out in so many different ways, and for me, the anthem wouldn't be the way to do it.
That doesn't mean I'm against what Colin Kaepernick or Arian Foster did because it's not about my opinion.
This is about the cause - that's what we should be talking about. I commend anyone who takes a bold and peaceful stance on an issue they are passionate about. But if we as a country end up paying more attention to the demonstration itself rather than the issue at hand, we're not doing it right.
Adam Jones was simply speaking the truth when he said baseball is predominantly white - the numbers obviously back that up. It's difficult for black ball players to take a bold stance on social inequality in America because so many of their teammates, fans, and bosses would have trouble relating to these issues.
It's a complex issue but part of the disconnect is because baseball doesn't appeal to lower income areas as much as basketball and football.
Equipment is too expensive. There are no fields, and if there were, it's nearly impossible to find enough people to play a game. Plus, Major League Baseball doesn't market its players as well as the NBA and NFL. It has put itself in a position that it will take significant time to change the racial demographics of the sport, and quite frankly, the social inequality issues plaguing America is a far bigger priority right now.
Related: Sabathia says it's tough for black players to speak out
Even though I wouldn't do it, I applaud Kaepernick and any other athlete who goes to great lengths to be heard.
We live in a world where EVERYONE's opinion is one tweet away, and most of them won't even have the courage to publicly stand behind their posts. At least these players stood up for something they believed in and were willing to face the ensuing backlash.
Everything that sparks discussion nowadays will be a much bigger deal than it was in the past because of all the channels available.
I just hope we can concentrate on the issues at hand and be honest on both sides of the argument. Issues like social inequality can't be solved when you have more people that want to be heard than people who want to listen.