Obama & Rev. Al Sharpton, Back to the Future in 2016 (video at the end)

Exactly one year ago, Chicago got riled up because of the Reverend Al Sharpton. I love Reverend Al, and I loved writing the column below. I love it even more now that Barack Obama's about to enter the White House. I think it confirms a feeling, one we've all felt for a very long time: We've got a ways to go to heal racism, but we've got the energy to get there and we certainly know our destination. 

****This GMM column appeared on Dec 26th, 2007****

GOLD MEDAL MEL “An Open Letter to Rev. Al Sharpton”

     Unless you’ve been under a rock or can’t read, then you know Al Sharpton has threatened to derail Chicago’s bid for the Olympic Games in 2016. Al’s mad about the Chicago Police Department’s alleged brutality against ethnic minorities. And Al should be. The CPD has already paid out twenty million dollars in claims because of the situation, so the whole ordeal reeks of racism. Al wants concrete steps to insure these injustices don’t continue, and if he doesn’t get them by the end of December, he plans to take his case globally, in essence alerting the IOC.

     Chicago’s mayor and his political wonks are acting slightly annoyed, if not nonchalant. But don’t be fooled. They have unsheathed their knives, deflecting the issue, claiming Al Sharpton’s out for himself and his celebrity.

     I must admit a tiny bias before I go on. I truly admired the Civil Rights stud, Reverend Al Sharpton. He was a hero to me, even back when he wore day-glow track-suits and all those gold necklaces. I always love it when Al exposes injustice and wins the day. So, as an admirer, I have written an open letter hoping to appeal to his sense of honor concerning our Olympic history:

     Dear Al,

     You’re awesome! Few can stir the hearts and minds of so many with so few words of coercion. However, threatening the Olympic movement was not the best move. I can’t speak for the U.S Olympic Committee officially, but I can say the athletes and our history is already with you. Our legacy is rich in the ethnic community. Forget Major League Baseball and the National Footage League, the USOC got it right long before those monopolies. Lest you forget, our mission statement is all about participation no matter your color, sex or creed. Also, the greatest moment in sports history is without a doubt the greatest testimony to the human spirit and equality. And we own it! It’s ours, Al! I’m talking about Jesse Owens netting three gold medallions at the 1936 Nazi Games in front of Adolph Hitler.

     What I’m trying to say, Al, is that you’re leveraging the Olympics the wrong way. Go ahead, pressure Chicago on the race issue. Just use the Olympic ideal to make the mayor take a hard look in the mirror. Preach about Jesse Owens and Wilma Rudolph, and reference the 1968 Mexico Games when black gloves were raised in power. Those are seminal moments in our nation’s on-going education and maturity. Historians write about it with sugar dripping from their pens. They make everyone appreciate and respect the color of each individual’s skin. That’s the Olympic ideal of the human spirit, which is yours too. So use it with wisdom, my friend, and preach it with a full heart. Don’t derail Chicago’s Olympic bid, make it your bid for human rights. Stand with our ethnically diverse athletes and be a part of the Olympic Movement.  

     Sincerely yours,

     Gold Medal Mel

I am a passionately proud member of the Olympic Family. We are not perfect, but our ideals are noble and precise. The Olympic Movement is about peace, participation and equality.

Working for the Swim Foundation, I am on the knife's edge of the battle for equality. Swimming, historically a very vanilla country-club sport, has been reaching across all racial barriers. We support "learn to swim" programs in urban and minority communities. (Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of injury related death, and if you're of color, you are 3-times as likely to drown!) Fighting this epidemic hasn't been easy, but our forces have gotten stronger since Cullen Jones exploded onto the scene. 

Cullen Jones, the 2008 gold medalist in the 4x100 Free Relay, is African American, and charismatic, and compassionate. With stars like him and our new President, 2009 will be the year to celebrate color and the strength diversity! 

The USA Swimming Foundation hosts the Golden Goggles every year to honor the best in swimming. However, it is, first and foremost, a fundraiser for the fight against drownings in minority communities. What I'd like to known is how we could make it a better evening, a more entertaining even, for the participants? How can we make the most of this wonderful opportunity to bring together the best in swimming to celebrate and raise money for this cause?

Here's a glance back at the 2008 gala event. It's my behind-the-scene glimpse with Christopher LaBianco (my partner and friend):

*****Note: In '07 my GMM column was licensed to The World Championship Sports Network, now Universal Sports. It's where I got my start as GMM. I still check them out every day. They cover global swimming incredible well. WIthout them I would not have gotten all my coverage of the World Cup Series*****

Comments

[Mel Stewart]

Melissa, the spirit of '68 is a beautiful theme, captured in one powerful image.... I would hope that in this situation, the stakes aren't as great--because of heroes like Smith and Carlos. I think political leaders and Olympians could speak with "authoritative" dignity, especially with our new Obama's presidency..

[Melissa R.]

I think it would be great if Al Sharpton was able to rally people, especially Olympians behind him, this type of conflict could jeopardize the countries Olympic bid. I'm not sure many Olympians would want people to hold them responsible, if we lose our chance. Even if what they are doing is right, that type of bravery is rare. We would need the spirit of the 1968 Olympics. As you said, we all look back at Smith and Carlos with pride. But they faced a lot of scrutiny around the world, especially here in the states.
I hope the conflict is taken care of before any of Sharptons planned actions are taken. I really appreciate you taking the time to really readmy comment. Your concern for this issue in the first place is inspiring.

[Mel Stewart]

Melissa R., you are the reason I write. Many thanks for your thoughtful comment!

You're right. The Olympics is monetarily driven. I can't dispute that. I can't deny that I don't continually think of ways to generate more attention around the Olympics--more media/TV ratings/money! For the most part, the Olympic BRAND is my identity. Selfishly I want to protect it...... But I also want something more. I want to see the Olympic ideals fulfilled. That's why I loved Reverend Sharpton's political move. Again, I must confess that my emotions were selfish. It gave me an excuse to get on my soap box.

I don't think of race or class in America as an issue. That's too academic, distant--the problem out there. The clash is real, the ugly person to person confrontations or slights of indignity (or worse yet, judgments made behind closed doors that deny life-giving opportunity). I agree with you! We need to be dragged to the front lines EVERY TIME before we'll ever reach an understanding of what it truly takes to reach equality.

At the end of the day, I want Reverend Sharpton's fire, but I also want that transcendent vision of what we can achieve. I want Obama's message of hope. I believe both are necessary... Consider this: Rev Sharpton could use the Olympic ideals to make his case. He could call Olympic athletes to his cause! Institutional ideals are only words on a press release. For them to have power and purpose, people must live them....or at least strive to.

Clearly, Rev Sharpton has shown us an opportunity.

[Melissa R.]

Before I start I want to say I am a big fan. I respect your admiration for Al Sharpton and understand why you want to protect the olympics and the USA swimming foundation. The Olympics movement would mean so much to Chicago and our entire nation, and I believe Al Sharpton is justified in wanting to deprive Chicago the honor of hosting the Olympics if things don't change. The past two years I have experienced more racial tension then I have in my entire life, as a Black woman. At my school we showed our support of the Jena 6, and found a noose in front black students center. This was only months after Obama had announced his candidacy. You have to have faith in most, to be a minority and love our country. With every few steps forwards also comes step back. Living in a diverse and conscious community in the Maryland suburbs of D.C. gave me faith, but sometimes faith is not enough. This past summer at my own job, only one of many complaints about racial profiling received the full attention it deserved. It was because they realized how profiling would effect their business financially. This is the same effect I believe Sharpton is trying to have on Chicago Officials. The Olympics would bring a lot of money to that city, and unfortunately money seems to mean more then morals to some. It is wonderful the USA Swimming Foundation, which is probably mostly white, would put so much effort in diversify the sport and keeping inner city children water safe. Unfortunately it seems like a rarity to find people who are concerned with a problem so outside themselves, especially when it concerns race or class in America. Al Sharpton knows far better then I do, that to help us all reach equality, some of us need to be dragged there.