What Can We Learn From College Athletes? | Kendall Spencer | TEDxBeaconStreet

Summary

The speaker, a student-athlete, explores the dual identity of being both a student and an athlete, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities it presents. They discuss the struggle for identity and the societal expectation to remain silent on issues outside of sports. The narrative pivots to a personal experience of advocating for justice on social media, facing criticism for stepping out of their perceived role. The speaker argues for the importance of using one's voice, regardless of background, to contribute to society and challenge perspectives, emphasizing the value of both academic and athletic pursuits in shaping a well-rounded individual.

Takeaways

• 🏆 The speaker identifies as a student-athlete, highlighting the dual roles of being a student and an athlete.
• 🍽️ The humor in the script points to the speaker's personal experiences, like eating multiple plates at the dining hall.
• 🏫 The script emphasizes the importance of education and how it intertwines with athletic pursuits, challenging the notion that student-athletes are only athletes.
• ⏰ The challenges of balancing academics and athletics are depicted, such as waking up early for practice and attending classes afterward.
• 🌟 The speaker's identity crisis is discussed, where they grapple with societal expectations and their own identity as a student-athlete.
• 📰 The Trayvon Martin case is used as a pivotal moment that prompted the speaker to use their voice on social media, despite initial hesitations.
• 💬 The script addresses the criticism faced by the speaker for voicing their opinion, suggesting a double standard for student-athletes in expressing themselves.
• 👥 The speaker questions why society is resistant to student-athletes speaking out, drawing parallels to other forms of activism and expression.
• 🤔 The script ponders whether society views student-athletes as mere entertainment rather than well-rounded individuals with academic pursuits.
• 🗣️ A call to action is made for student-athletes and everyone to use their voice, as each person's story is valuable and deserves to be heard.

Q & A

What does the speaker identify as the dual role they play?

The speaker identifies themselves as both a student and an athlete, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities that come with being a student-athlete.

How does the speaker describe the experience of balancing academics and athletics?

The speaker describes the experience as challenging, involving not just physical exertion but also the challenge of identity and reconciling who they are with societal expectations.

What specific incident prompted the speaker to use their voice on social media?

The speaker was prompted to use their voice on social media following the murder of Trayvon Martin, expressing their desire for justice and reflecting on the court's ruling.

Why did people tell the speaker to 'stick to running in circles' after their social media post on Trayvon Martin?

People told the speaker to 'stick to running in circles' because they believed the speaker should focus on their athletic abilities rather than engage in social or political commentary.

What does the speaker suggest is the real problem with society's view on student-athletes using their voice?

The speaker suggests that the real problem is that society doesn't truly view student-athletes as students, reducing them to their athletic performance and not acknowledging their academic pursuits or potential contributions beyond sports.

How does the speaker feel about the advice they received to stay within their perceived scope?

The speaker feels that being told to stay within their perceived scope is limiting and goes against the essence of education and personal growth, which involves challenging perspectives and engaging with the world.

What is the significance of the speaker's mention of Plato's quote on justice in their philosophy class?

The speaker mentions Plato's quote to emphasize the importance of a union between athletics and academics for achieving perfection, aligning with the idea of being a student-athlete and the holistic development of individuals.

What does the speaker believe is the consequence of not using one's voice?

The speaker believes that not using one's voice leads to missed opportunities for learning, understanding different perspectives, and hearing stories that inspire and provide courage.

How does the speaker encourage others to use their voice?

The speaker encourages others to use their voice by emphasizing the uniqueness of each person's story and the world's readiness to hear these stories, urging them to be strategic and critical in their approach.

What is the speaker's current status and how does it relate to their message about using one's voice?

The speaker is an Olympic hopeful and a law student at Georgetown University, embodying the message that the time to use one's voice is now, as they have used their own voice to advocate for justice and are pursuing higher education.

Outlines

00:00

🏆 Balancing Student and Athlete Identities

The speaker begins by humorously highlighting the stereotypes associated with student-athletes, such as the voracious eater in the dining hall, which the speaker identifies with. They discuss the unique opportunity student-athletes have to merge their athletic and academic passions, emphasizing the challenge of balancing these two identities. The speaker shares personal anecdotes, like waking up early for practice and the struggle to reconcile their identity as an athlete with societal expectations. They recount a pivotal moment when, as a sophomore, the murder of Trayvon Martin prompted them to use their voice on social media, despite criticism that they should 'stick to sports.' This experience led them to reflect on the broader issue of identity and the societal pressure to conform to one-dimensional roles.

05:01

🗣️ The Power and Limitations of Student-Athlete Voices

In the second paragraph, the speaker delves into the societal perception of student-athletes as primarily entertainers rather than scholars. They recount an experience at an airport where they were recognized as an athlete but not as a student, which led to a realization about the undervaluation of their academic pursuits. The speaker argues that society often silences student-athletes, suggesting that their voices are only valid within the context of their sport. They challenge this notion by pointing out the academic achievements and future contributions of student-athletes, emphasizing the importance of allowing them to use their voices in all aspects of life. The speaker also touches on the broader implications of silencing any group, highlighting the loss of diverse perspectives and the importance of encouraging everyone to share their stories.

10:03

🌟 Encouraging Voices for a More Inclusive Society

The final paragraph is a call to action, urging everyone, especially student-athletes, to use their voices and share their unique stories. The speaker shares their personal journey as an Olympic hopeful and law student, emphasizing that the time to speak out is now. They argue that every individual's voice is essential for a more inclusive and understanding society. The speaker concludes by stressing the importance of education and physical activity in achieving personal perfection and societal progress, and they encourage the audience to support one another in expressing their perspectives, as the world is eager to hear from them.

Keywords

💡Student-athlete

A student-athlete refers to an individual who participates in competitive sports at an educational institution while also being enrolled as a student. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the dual identity of being both a student and an athlete, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities this entails. The term is used to discuss the balance between academic and athletic commitments, as well as the societal expectations placed on individuals who excel in both areas.

💡Identity

Identity in this context refers to the sense of self that an individual develops, which can be influenced by various factors such as personal experiences, societal roles, and cultural backgrounds. The speaker discusses the challenge of reconciling one's identity as a student-athlete with societal expectations, particularly in the face of events like the Trayvon Martin case, which prompted the speaker to use their voice beyond the realm of sports.

💡Challenge

A challenge, as mentioned in the script, represents a difficult task or problem that needs to be overcome. The speaker talks about the challenges faced by student-athletes, such as managing their time between sports and academics, and the broader challenge of using their voice in societal issues. The script uses the Trayvon Martin case as an example of a challenge that prompted the speaker to speak out, despite societal pressures to remain silent.

💡Voice

Voice in this context refers to the power and ability of an individual to express their opinions, beliefs, and perspectives. The speaker emphasizes the importance of using one's voice, especially for student-athletes, to contribute to societal discussions and challenges. The script highlights how the speaker's voice was initially dismissed but ultimately became a catalyst for change and self-expression.

💡Justice

Justice in the video is discussed in the context of fairness and the rule of law, particularly in relation to the Trayvon Martin case. The speaker's reaction to the court's ruling and the public discourse surrounding the case led them to use their voice to advocate for justice. The term is used to illustrate the broader theme of standing up for what is right, even when it is challenging or unpopular.

💡Perspective

Perspective refers to a particular way of considering or regarding something, often shaped by one's experiences and viewpoints. The speaker argues for the importance of diverse perspectives in educational and societal discourse, challenging the notion that student-athletes should be limited to their athletic identity. The script suggests that embracing different perspectives enriches dialogue and promotes a more inclusive society.

💡Education

Education in the video is portrayed as a transformative process that involves not only academic learning but also personal growth and the development of critical thinking skills. The speaker connects their academic pursuits with their athletic experiences, arguing that both are essential components of a well-rounded education. The term is used to emphasize the value of an education that fosters intellectual curiosity and social awareness.

💡Athletics

Athletics refers to sports and other physical activities that require physical skill and strategy. In the context of the video, athletics is one half of the student-athlete identity, with the speaker discussing the integration of athletic pursuits with academic studies. The term is used to explore the benefits of physical activity and how it complements the intellectual development that occurs in educational settings.

💡Societal Expectations

Societal expectations are the beliefs and norms that a society holds about how individuals should behave or what roles they should fulfill. The speaker reflects on how societal expectations can limit the voices of student-athletes, reducing them to their athletic achievements rather than recognizing their academic and personal contributions. The term is used to critique the narrow views that can stifle the potential of individuals.

💡Oppression

Oppression in the video is discussed in the context of the silencing and marginalization of certain voices, particularly those of student-athletes. The speaker describes how they felt oppressed when their voice was dismissed due to their identity as an athlete. The term is used to highlight the broader issue of the suppression of perspectives and the importance of resisting such oppression to foster a more equitable society.

💡Courage

Courage in this context is the quality of being brave and determined in the face of adversity or fear. The speaker encourages the audience to find the courage to use their voice, even when it may be met with resistance or criticism. The term is used to inspire individuals to stand up for their beliefs and to contribute their unique perspectives to societal discussions.

Highlights

The speaker humorously introduces the stereotype of student-athletes, setting the stage for a deeper discussion.

The opportunity for student-athletes to merge passion from sports with academic pursuits is highlighted.

The dual identity challenge of being both a student and an athlete is explored, emphasizing the struggle to reconcile these roles.

The speaker recounts a personal anecdote about the challenge of balancing early morning practices with academic responsibilities.

The Trayvon Martin case is mentioned as a catalyst for the speaker's activism, showing the intersection of personal identity and social justice.

The speaker reflects on the public's reaction to their initial tweets on Trayvon Martin, indicating a pushback against student-athletes engaging in social issues.

The idea that student-athletes are reduced to their athletic abilities, rather than being recognized for their academic and personal identities, is critiqued.

The speaker questions why society is resistant to student-athletes using their voices, drawing parallels to other forms of protest and activism.

An airport encounter is described, illustrating the common perception of athletes as only being defined by their sports, not their academic or personal lives.

The speaker points out the irony that while society consumes athletic entertainment, it often disregards the academic and personal achievements of student-athletes.

Statistics on the low percentage of student-athletes who go pro are used to argue for the importance of recognizing their academic and future contributions to society.

The speaker argues against the silencing of student-athletes, advocating for the value of diverse perspectives and the importance of voice in education.

A philosophical quote from Plato is referenced to emphasize the unity of mind and body, and the holistic development of student-athletes.

The importance of strategic and critical thinking in speaking out on issues is discussed, along with the need for peer support.

The speaker concludes with a call to action, urging everyone to use their unique voice and share their stories, as the world is waiting to hear them.

Transcripts

when I say the word student-athlete what

comes to mind

maybe it's the college football game you

defaulted to so you could avoid another

Geico commercial maybe it's the freshman

that swam away to an Olympic gold medal

in between classes or maybe it's that

kid at the dining hall with like five

plates who's going back for seconds and

thirds I actually got a laugh at that

one because anyone who actually knows me

knows that that that last kid is is

definitely me

you see as both student and athlete I

get this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

to take the passion I've cultivated on

the field into the classroom into a

place where professors teach us to

challenge ourselves a place where we

learn to challenge each other a place

where we explore new ways of challenging

the world around us but the very

challenge of living between the whistle

and the school bell comes with so much

more than shuffling into class after

practice or finding new ways to smuggle

food into philosophy lectures or

actually in my case waking up a 5:00

a.m. to practice and just hoping you

don't get a cold call during contract

law but it does come with this challenge

of identity at times of reconciling who

you are and how your voice is going to

be used with who the world expects you

to be and the boxes that we often find

ourselves put in and maybe you agree

with me mate maybe this is something

that we all experience in terms of

challenge but it's important to note

that these challenges don't show any

prejudice towards age or whether you're

a freshman or in graduate school you see

I was only a sophomore when George

Zimmerman murdered Trayvon Martin and

looking at the article briefly my

notions of justice and fair play

didn't all agree with what the court had

ruled or even how something like this

could happen but I mean what was I gonna

do I was I was just a student and at

that time to be honest going to law

school was out of the question it was

expensive and we all know lawyers talk

entirely too much but in looking at this

child's face I check this uncanny

resemblance he had to these everyday

people in my

if you see Trayvon was my little brother

Trayvon was my teammate that measured

out my distances in Long Jump Trayvon

was even the kid in my English lecture

that waved me down when there was

nowhere else to sit so naturally I I

took to Twitter just just supposed to

comment wishing that his life his family

his legacy like all of us receives

justice and to be honest this is no

different than the way I feel about the

law now because regardless of what you

look like what you believe where you're

from we all deserve justice and I

believe that don't you but what people

said about what I had tweeted is

actually why I'm here today

you see people told me I should stick to

running in circles people told me that I

should let regular individuals handle

this

people even told me I should stick to

playing in the sand and at that very

moment as a student-athlete

I had no voice my voice went only about

as far as I could jump or as far as my

athletic ability how devastating but

suddenly this was about so much more

than being a student-athlete this is

about being a human being a human being

was out of voice and I'm wondering if

this sounds like any of you I mean

seriously how how different is this from

raising your hand in class or writing an

op-ed or kneeling at a football game is

it any different than standing alongside

those in support of the women's March or

standing behind our military during

times of controversy why on earth are we

so hard on people that step outside of

this box and challenge perspectives why

for example aren't we encouraging more

student athletes to use their voice and

how did we get here how did we get to

this point in society where we're

reducing people to these one-dimensional

characteristics that don't even begin to

do justice to their their potential in

their voice now I got to be honest I I

might never find the answer to any of

these questions but a month after this

happened I certainly thought I did you

see I found myself among scores of other

travelers enjoying the

hospitality of airport security and I

didn't think I look too abnormal I mean

I mean had a cinnamon colored suit on

with a charcoal grey tie it actually

seemed to fit and and to be honest with

you none of that mattered because for

the first time in like three months

I had managed to get all of the sand out

of my socks which is a huge

accomplishment for people in my event

but even with all that being said

someone still managed to come up to me

and ask me what's he my plate for and

and and how this person knew I was an

athlete still escaped from you to this

day but I tell him I'm a proud Lobo he

asked me what sport I play well my event

is how far I jump he wishes me well and

we go our separate ways but when I got

to my plane I'm overhearing another

conversation between a passenger and a

student that sounds strikingly identical

to mine except for the questions they're

being asked questions like what's your

major why'd you choose the school you

chose and what are you gonna do after

you graduate and as I'm looking out of

the window I couldn't help but wonder

why no one ever asked me these questions

and honestly it brought me back to the

tweet I had sent about Trayvon Martin a

month prior and and a couple the dot

started to connect for me you see maybe

the issue that society has with student

athletes using their voice or even just

athletes using their voice has nothing

to do with our majors or where we go to

school because maybe the real problem is

that society doesn't believe that

student athletes are really students at

all and this is this is this is this is

something that's so amazing to me

because I mean maybe they don't want it

maybe because to them were just

entertainment I mean we're the people

that you turn to when Monday night

football is over or when the World

Series is ends or if you didn't get

tickets to the World Cup I mean of

course fans will come out to the games

they'll listen to the radio interviews

they'll even stream the top ten plays of

the season but how many college sports

fans that you know can honestly tell you

anything about the academic pursuits of

any of their favorite student athletes

it's a striking finding really because

even looking statistically at at a at a

spectator sport like football over

74,000 student-athletes only 250 of them

roughly are gonna get drafted to the NFL

this means that over 73,000 of these

kids are gonna go pro in something other

than their sport they're gonna

contribute to society in ways that go

far beyond what they were ever gonna do

athletically and yet these same

individuals are told that their voice

only goes as far as they could throw a

football at the very minute we step

outside of this box that we've been put

in we're told we have to be quiet and as

I look at all of you I can't help but

wonder how many of you guys have ever

been there how many of you guys have

ever been told to keep your opinions and

your perspectives to yourselves because

it supposedly went outside your scope a

scope that may have been because of

where you were from what you look like

or what you believed you see the very

minute we believe this lie that our

perspectives and our story is irrelevant

we stop using our voice altogether but

I'm wondering if you stopped using your

voice whose story wouldn't get told you

see any time we muzzle groups and and

other people we don't just miss out on

these critical opportunities to learn we

missed out on perspectives we miss out

on these stories that inspire and fill

us with courage and it's in this way

that your voice is really one of the

highlights of life in part because

wherever you go your story goes with you

and the world is just waiting to hear

this story the world is waiting to hear

from you for anyone that's that's gone

to school engaging with the world around

us and challenging perspectives is the

very essence of our educational system

but how can we sit here and say that we

endorsed this model of growth and

scholarship through learning if we're

discouraging people from using their

voice how can we actually say that and

and and for student athletes this is

something that's incredibly important to

us because this is one of the very many

ways that we learn in fact to this day

one of my favorite quotes out of my

philosophy class came came from Plato is

he's talking about justice and he

actually goes on to say that in order

for man to succeed in life God gave God

gave us these two things

not to be used separately as one for the

soul and one for the body but to be used

together and that is through these means

of education and physical activity that

man can actually achieve perfection now

no one's perfect but but this this idea

of creating a union between athletics

and academics is the very nature of

being a student athlete or even just

staying physically active while you're

in school and it's because of this that

there's not a single person in the world

that can tell me that academics and

athletics don't go together but even

with all that being said this doesn't

make speaking out any easier we still

need to be strategic and think

critically about the issues that were

actually addressing we need to

understand there's these risks and be

willing to commit to our cause beyond

circumstance and in order to do this we

need the support of our peers and we

need the support because the world is

waiting to hear from you you see this

land is is supposed to be your land this

land is supposed to be my land too but

if this land is truly meant for you and

me then why don't we encourage each

other to draw this voice within all of

us because the world is waiting to hear

from you everyone has this unique story

this this voice that is so specific to

our own experiences and for every one

person that has the courage to use their

voice wisely they enabled dozens more to

do the same when I was first starting

out and figuring out how I was gonna use

my voice and and really where I fit in

the world all I wanted was for one day

my community and my country to hear from

me and I stand before you today as an

Olympic hopeful and a law student at

Georgetown University and realizing that

the time to use your voice is right now

the time for you to use your voice is

right now the world hopefully one day

hear from me but your time is now

because the world is waiting to hear

from you thank you

you