So what is it that the Steve Nash Foundation does?
According to Nash, he started the Foundation because he "really felt the need to try to help people." As a professional athlete, he says "you are in a position and given the opportunity to really have an impact on more than just your immediate surroundings."
What I really appreciate about Nash's organization is that it helps "underserved populations" nationally and internationally; from Arizona, to Paraguay, to British Columbia.
We've come across lots of instances where U.S.-based organizations tend to focus much of their activism abroad – and considering the myriad of social ills facing countries in Africa and South America, I certainly understand the why.
However, I also think it's important too pull together our resources and help folks in our own backyards.
Nash's private Foundation has successfully executed some great initiatives, including "equipping a neonatal intensive care ward [and] developing an early childhood education center in Arizona."
For those of you out there who are seeking extra help in starting your own non-profit that focuses on youth, Nash's Foundation is now accepting grant applications.
I perused the Foundation's website for quite awhile when writing this post, and I have to say that just from the website, Nash and his organization seem to have their business together. Aside from the user-friendly design, the website highlights upcoming events, contact information, and ways you and I can get involved - or Make an Assist.
A class act, in my opinion.
Steve Nash at Charity Soccer Game, Summer 2008
Well-done, Steve, ya done good. Keep up the great work!
Lesson Learned This Week: ALWAYS SAVE BLOGS ON COMPUTER! I posted this blog yesterday but due to server issues, it disappeared. So here ya go!
It’s kind of like the adage “separation of church and state” we all like to believe is true but deep down we know both institutions depend on each other in order to be relevant in an ever-shifting-power-obsessed-society.To think we can absolutely separate the professional sports realm from politics and activism is a lofty endeavor (perhaps even a delusional undertaking), unless of course you're Michael Jordan.But even Jordan received flack for taking an apolitical stance in order to keep his multi-million dollar endorsement deals.Maybe it’s more difficult for high profile athletes like Jordan to straddle the line of high fame and humility.Yet, folks like Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and to a lesser extent, Lebron James seem to be taking a more aggressive stance on various social justice issues than some of their predecessors.Though he’s certainly not the second coming of Mother Teresa, Bryant has taken steps in the right direction to bring more awareness to the crisis in Darfur.
For more information on Darfur, hurricane Katrina, and Tsunami relief efforts please visit www.aidstillrequired.org
Bryant might want to thank one of his teammates, Ira Newble, for exposing Bryant to the Darfur issue.
Perhaps Newble’s low NBA profile makes him a bit more “fit” to tackle an international crisis like Darfur (ironic, isn’t it?).To his credit, he has done more than PSA announcements about the atrocities happening on the African continent, he’s actually visited the region, spoken with those impacted by the crisis, and actively mobilized fellow NBA players.Yet, maybe even his efforts aren’t enough.Arguably, Newble doesn’t have the cultural clout or “capital” like a Kobe Bryant or Lebron James to encourage thousands of people to join his cause.Of course, that can be a good thing especially considering that the National Basketball Association has been accused of encouraging some of their players to tone down their aggressive political positions (note for example, former Chicago Bulls’ shooting guard Craig Hodges and Washington Wizard’scenter and political activist, Etan Thomas past issues with the NBA).
(Watch full segment of Outside The Lines' report on Athletes and Activism HERE).
Some of you might recall Charles Barkley’s famous Nike add in which he assertively points out that he is “not a role model.”
Does taking a stance and speaking out about local and international social calamities necessarily mean you’re ‘doomed’ to role model-dom?Oh the humanity!
Should we even care if folks like Bryant, James, and Newble make a conscious effort to (or not to) use their celebrity status to confront social injustice issues?
I personally don’t need a professional athlete telling me what s/he is doing (or what s/he won’t do) in order to be consciously active within my communities.But I also understand that pro athletes and celebrities have a much bigger cultural platform than I do.Some would argue that they have an even greater responsibility to use their status and resources to encourage positive social change.Either way, I still wonder what the world would be like if we all just did what we had to do for one another – with no preconditions, no self-serving agendas, and no preoccupation about protecting multi-million dollar endorsements.As if we really need to preserve those endorsement deals so the world can be a better place.
