ESPN: Racism in Sport

On Thursday ESPN will present a day of programming exploring the issues of racism and social justice in Sport, including Adam Goodes documentary The Australian Dream.

Programming will begin at 10.30 a.m AEST with the 30 for 30 documentary The 16th Man. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, the film showcases the impact of South Africa’s victory at the 1995 Rugby World Cup on the nation’s transition out of apartheid, and the significance of Nelson Mandela’s embrace of the team.

Of note, June 24 is the 25th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s famous “Sport has the power to change the world” speech at the Rugby World Cup Final in South Africa.

At 11:30 a.m. AEST The Undefeated present the special Time for Change: We Won’t be Defeated, a program exploring the intersection of sports, race and culture in the United States.

The one-hour special will examine black athletes’ experiences with injustice and the unifying role that sports can play.

SportsCenter anchors Elle Duncan, Michael Eaves and Jay Harris will be joined by reporter and NBA studio host Maria Taylor. Time for Change will feature a series of roundtable discussions with athletes and other leading voices in sports and culture.

Planned highlights of Time for Change: We Won’t Be Defeated:
• Why Does this Time Feel Different?: A conversation on why the current push for change feels different;
• Enough is Enough: An examination of how we got here;
• Black Athletes and the Police Experience: The personal challenge Black athletes face with law enforcement;
• Our Children: The challenge of raising a Black child in America today;
• The Privilege of Being White: A reflective look at White privilege, and the need for non-Black athletes to help dismantle it through the fight against systemic racism.

Then at 12:30 p.m AEST, ESPN will air the The Australian Dream, the acclaimed two-hour documentary film released last year that won a series of awards, including the People’s Choice Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Through the recent experience of AFL star Adam Goodes, the film is a raw examination Aboriginal identity and racism in Australia. The film is an inspiring and empowering story, through which a powerful narrative is told about sport, race and belonging.

Thursday June 25
10:30am AEST – 30 for 30: The 16th Man
11:30am AEST – The Undefeated Presents, “Time for Change: We Won’t Be Defeated”
12:30pm AEST – The Australian Dream

7pm AEST – The Undefeated Presents, “Time for Change: We Won’t Be Defeated” rpt
8pm AEST – 30 for 30: The 16th Man rpt
9pm AEST – The Australian Dream rpt

*Please note The Australian Dream will not air on ESPN in New Zealand