Dear Editor,

Commentary writer Constantinos Scaros, in his article “Black Lives Matter; So Does the Sanctity of Sports” (August 15) posits that somehow sports is more deserved of sanctity than the quest for racial dignity and equality, not only an idyllic and naive dream but fundamentally a demeaning and some would assert even a racist position.

Yes, sports is a wonderful outlet from the stresses of life, most certainly magnified with the COVID-19 solitude. But to idealize that sports is and can be or should be removed from the realities of societal’s issues, and in fact, is not reflective of and a prism to view the contemporary challenges our country faces, is utopian.

I applaud today’s athletes, for using their outsized platform, to speak out on issues bedeviling our nation, at risk of their careers (see: Colin Kaepernick), and criticism from those disagreeing with their social stances (see: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Trump), at risk of being deemed “unpatriotic” or hateful of America. The era of Charles Barkley asserting “Athletes are not role models” is so much in the rear view mirror that it is not even a subject of debate any longer.

In fact, what makes America great, is that Scaros can use his platform to make well couched but thinly veiled positions for the status quo, of an America not equal for all.

In fact, what also makes America great, is the opportunity for athletes to use their platform, to take a stand on issues contrary to others in positions of power.

In fact, what makes America great, is the right for Scaros to stop attending games or to turn off his television, if it bothers him that his entertainment may be sullied by another equal human being taking a position contrary to his own.

The days of the slaves being the entertainment of the Roman rulers at the Coliseum ended a while ago.

That is what makes America great.

Gregory J. Stamos

Woodbridge, Connecticut