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.