The Risk of "Unity" Is The Discomfort Will Be Swept Away

NFL owners have locked arms with players, and Jerry Jones took a knee. Media accounts celebrated "unity" and "solidarity." Sports Illustrated has now declared the sports world to be "united." Sparked by characteristically outrageous comments from President Donald Trump, players, coaches and owners alike insist that they will not be divided. As inspiring as this collective voice may sound, it has the potential to drown out the individual voices that gave rise to protests in the first place. The more the league promotes solidarity, the more easily we will return to the status quo. "Unity" is always valued in team sports, none more so than football. Sports rely on an "us" and "them" dynamic, and having a clear enemy (or rival) helps define who "we" are united against. In this particular case, it is notable that the enemy is the president, a fact that spotlights the political complexities of sports.