The Civil Rights icon and esteemed sports sociologist educates Mike (his former UC Berkeley student) and Natalie on some of the most important issues of our time, including climate change, gun control, women’s rights and the racial divide that spawned the Trump presidency. Beginning with a blistering assessment of the NFL’s reliance on “race norming” in a concussion-lawsuit settlement--and his charged conversations with commissioner Roger Goodell--Dr. Edwards speaks truth to power and reminds us why he has been one of the most significant American activists of the last 60 years. He also talks about being a target--from the moment he began organizing the iconic black-glove salute by American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics--and explains why, despite our societal struggles, he’s optimistic about the future.
We pick up with Dr. Edwards’ recounting of the long history of athlete activism in the U.S., from baseball-playing Civil War soldiers to Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling during the anthem and beyond. He expounds upon the power--and inherent danger--of social media, and why it is an important protest tool. Dr. Edwards recalls his reaction to witnessing the black-glove salute at the 1968 Olympics that he inspired, and why he worried for the future of Australian sprinter Peter Norman. He weighs in on the recent Supreme Court decision striking down the NCAA’s ability to prevent athletes from cashing in on their name, image and likeness and on Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib coming out as the NFL’s first openly gay active player. Finally, Dr. Edwards tells Natalie why he’s optimistic about her generation’s ability to effect meaningful change during a tumultuous time.