Sports in the Civil Rights Movement 4000 people died in lynching during the civil rights movement. Lynching is a violent act where a group of people kills someone, usually by hanging. It’s often done in a mob, or a large group of people. Key figures like LeBron James, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and Bill Russell are some of the greatest examples of leaders in the civil rights movement. It’s estimated around tens of thousands died during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This is only one of the many bus boycotts. Even though tens of thousands of people died, it’s still remembered as the most successful bus boycott ever. A star athlete named Bill Russell was on a boycott himself (Hartwell). Bill Russell, the basketball legend, star, and phenom, was a key …show more content…
had his “I have a Dream” speech. Russell’s impact went beyond basketball, influencing generations of people and raising awareness about civil rights. He remains a symbol of strength, courage, and activism in the ongoing fight for justice and equality. Another great basketball player, played after Bill Russel, but still has an everlasting impact on and off the court. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the most well-respected basketball icons and activists. He made significant contributions to social justice causes. In addition to his basketball career, he advocated for racial equality and education. He openly criticized racism and was in many community programs (Abdul-Jabbar). He inspires many to continue the fight for social change. His legacy continues to inspire hope in the idea of equality and rights. Another basketball star has also openly criticized racism. LeBron James, though not directly involved in the 1960’s civil rights movement, actively supports civil rights causes. He used his platform to advocate for racial equality and social justice. Lebron also uses his platform to address issues like discrimination and police brutality (Adler).