Celebrating the Olympic Spirit: Unity for Our Democracy, Our Children, and Our Future
Every two years, the world gathers to witness the grand spectacle of the Olympics (alternating between the winter and summer games). The air buzzes with excitement as nations from all corners of the globe come together to celebrate human achievement, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of competition. As we cheer for our U.S. Olympic Team, marvel at their dedication, revel in their achievements, and applaud the collection of medals, we are reminded of the power of unity and collective effort.
This spirit of togetherness and pride should inspire us to address pressing issues closer to home: protecting our democracy and other democracies around the world, embracing diversity, and prioritizing the well-being of young people.
The Olympic Spirit and Our Democracy
First, just as we rally behind our athletes and their families, we must come together and unite to safeguard democracy at home and abroad. The Olympic Games symbolize the epitome of respect and global cooperation — values that are foundational to thriving democracies. However, in recent years, democratic institutions have been tested by forces of authoritarianism, division, and hate. To ensure the endurance of democratic principles, we need the same unity and commitment that propels athletes to greatness.
Democracy thrives on active participation, informed citizenship, and the protection of rights and freedoms. Like the diverse athletes representing Team U.S.A., our democracy at home is strengthened by the diversity of voices and perspectives that contribute to it. Authoritarianism, on the other hand, thrives on division, disenfranchisement, and the suppression of dissent. It is imperative that we recognize the signs of creeping authoritarianism — attacks on the free press, undermining of electoral processes, and the erosion of civil liberties — and respond with unwavering solidarity.
Embracing Diversity: Our Nation’s Strength
Watching the Olympics, one of the most inspiring aspects of the U.S. Olympic Team is its embrace of diversity, and dare I say, inclusion. Athletes hail from various backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures, embodying the melting pot that is America. This diversity is not just a point of pride; it is a fundamental strength. Each athlete brings a unique story, perspective, and set of experiences that enrich the team and enhance its performance.
Whether it is Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, LeBron James, Katie Ledecky, Sha'Carri Richardson, Suni Lee, Sophia Smith, Steph Curry, Diana Taurasi, Ryan Crouser, Noah Lyles, Trinity Rodman, Kristen Faulkner, Scottie Scheffler, Gabby Thomas, Stephen Nedoroscik, Torri Huske, Valarie Allman, Caeleb Dressel, Perris Benegas, and so many more, their stories and accomplishments – on and off the field of play – are inspiring and demonstrate that the strength of our country is due to their diversity.
As we celebrate our Olympic athletes, we must also celebrate the diverse communities that make up and give back to our country. Embracing diversity means fostering an inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. It means rejecting xenophobia, racism, sexism, name-calling, and all forms of discrimination that aim to divide us.
While America has often been a beacon of hope for people seeking freedom and opportunity, we must acknowledge that we have often failed to live up to this promise. But hope endures.
As Martin Luther King, Jr., said:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
By confronting our shortcomings and working together, we can build a more just, equitable, civil, and charitable society.
Diversity: A Major Factor in America’s Olympic Success
I grew up in El Paso, Texas, a community where people of different races, ethnicities, and religions come together in terrific and unique ways. El Paso is a place where Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim kids and White, Hispanic, Black, and Native American kids attend public schools together, play on sports teams together, eat Tex-Mex, listen to all types of music, often speak a mix of English and Spanish (“Spanglish”), and never think of it as a big deal.
Like anywhere, there were some elements seeking to drive division when I was growing up, but I was more likely to see people coming together rather than stoking division. That was life on the border and it was normal to me. We grew up knowing that Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso) was the first Texas college to break the color barrier and win the NCAA men’s championship in 1966 with an all-Black starting lineup that also had White and Hispanic young men on the team. Their opponents were the Kentucky Wildcats and coach Adoph Rupp, who fielded exclusively white teams until 1970.
Now, 58 years later, the U.S. Olympic team will also put our nation’s incredible diversity on display for the world to see, as the United States will once again win more medals than any other nation with athletes representing an array of racial, ethnic, and cultural identities.
The whole world is witnessing how America’s diversity makes us stronger, faster, and more talented than any other country in the world. Furthermore, with special thanks to the passage of Title IX in 1972, U.S.A.’s women athletes are dominating the Olympics in many sports, including basketball, soccer, gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, and track and field.
As a nation, we still have a way to go, but the systemic tearing down of racial and gender barriers and our historic embrace of immigrants is what has made America great – not only in these Olympic games but also our economic competitiveness, culture, etc.
Having grown up in El Paso, it comes as no surprise to me that our diversity and embrace of immigrants are major factors in our nation’s success. It is odd that some in our nation stridently cheer on our Olympic teams, while simultaneously waving signs at the recent Republican political convention to deport and tear apart millions of families living and contributing to this country.
The Olympics also serve as a powerful display of friendship and friendly competition. Athletes from around the world come together, not just to compete, but to forge bonds of camaraderie and mutual respect. This spirit of sportsmanship transcends national boundaries and reminds us of our shared humanity.
Diversity: A Major Factor in America’s Economic Success
As Americans, we can all be proud of the performance of our Olympic team. But this is not to say Americans should embrace diversity just for sports. We should embrace diversity for economic, cultural, social, and political reasons as well. Instead, we are witnessing a direct attack on diversity and inclusion, even though the antonyms of those concepts are “exclusion”, “division”, and “segregation”.
In Silicon Valley, 37.4% of all residents are foreign born and, according to the 2016 Silicon Valley Index, that figure rose to 74% for 25–44 year-old computer and mathematical workers in the region. Over half of Silicon Valley’s population over age 5 speaks a language other than exclusively English at home. As the report explains:
The region has benefited significantly from the entrepreneurial spirit of people drawn to Silicon Valley from around the country and the world. Historically, immigrants have contributed considerably to innovation and job creation in the region, state and nation. Maintaining and increasing these flows, combined with efforts to integrate immigrants into our communities, will likely improve the region’s potential for global competitiveness.
But, this is not just a Silicon Valley phenomenon. Our nation’s largest cities and economic engines, such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Boston, and Washington, D.C., are places of great diversity to which people from all over the country and the world come to conduct business in and live. These cities are vibrant places of innovation and economic growth for our country. They are places that draw tourists from around the world.
Yet, despite all the strengths that diversity brings, there remains a strong undercurrent of opposition in this country to diversity, greater tolerance, immigrants, and the blending of cultures and heritages. These opponents, such as white nationalists, are fearful or distrustful of diversity and argue that it threatens America. We should reject such fear and loathing.
As economist William H. Frey, who authored the Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics are Remaking America, wrote in an op-ed for CNN:
America’s ongoing diversity explosion should be greeted with optimism because of the opportunities it presents for revitalizing our country, energizing our labor force and providing greater connectivity to the global economy. But there is a hidden danger lurking in the form of an emerging generation gap with strong racial overtones that, left unchecked, could become a significant obstacle to progress.
This has profound public policy and electoral implications for our nation’s children and youth. As Frey points out, a majority of children are majority-minority and this next generation is far more diverse than previous generations. If we care about the future of our nation and its prosperity, it is imperative that we embrace the well-being and success of these children. If we neglect to invest in our diverse youth, we risk undermining the very foundations of our nation's future.
Striving to Be #1 in Child Well-Being
Consequently, as we cheer on our athletes and their push to be #1 in Olympic medal counts, we should also commit to setting our sights on becoming #1 in indicators of child well-being. The same dedication, discipline, and support that propels an athlete to Olympic success should be mirrored in our commitment to our nation's children.
Unfortunately, the United States presently ranks a disappointingly 39th in international measures of child well-being, including indicators like infant and child mortality and child poverty. This is unacceptable in a nation as wealthy and resourceful as ours. Just as we support our athletes with the best training facilities, coaches, and resources, we must provide our children with the schools, teachers, resources, and supports they need to succeed.
Investing in our children means addressing systemic issues that perpetuate inequality. It means advocating for policies that ensure access to quality education, healthcare, and safe communities. It means supporting families and caregivers, recognizing that the well-being of children is intrinsically linked to the well-being of their families.
In close to 100 days, Americans will go to the polls to decide the future of our democracy, whether we will come together as a nation with civility and respect or hate and division, and the future of our nation.
To ensure a prosperous, happy, and productive future, we must strive to achieve much better outcomes with respect to child well-being. As we think about holding our lawmakers accountable to this goal with our votes, we should prioritize:
Education: Ensuring that all children have access to high-quality education, from early childhood through higher education. This includes investing in teachers, schools, and educational resources, and addressing disparities in educational outcomes.
Health Care: Guaranteeing that all children have access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare services. This includes preventive care, mental health services, and support for children with special health needs.
Economic Security: Implementing policies that reduce child poverty and support economic stability for families. This includes measures like the Child Tax Credit, affordable housing initiatives, child nutrition, and livable wages for parents.
Safe and Nurturing Environments: Creating safe, supportive, and enriching environments for children to grow up in. This includes addressing issues like child abuse, neglect, and community violence, and providing safe spaces for recreation and learning.
As we come together to celebrate the Olympic Games, let us channel that spirit of unity, pride, and determination into a collective effort to protect our democracy, embrace diversity, and uplift our children. By striving to be #1 in indicators of child well-being, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and that our nation remains strong and vibrant.
We should also strive to play a leadership role in helping to ensure a better and safer world for everybody, especially our children.
In the words of the late Nelson Mandela:
Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.
Let us harness that power to bring about positive change in our society, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive and every voice is heard in our democracy and around the world.
If you would like to help ensure that children and their needs, concerns, and best interests are no longer ignored by policymakers, call your Member of Congress and urge them to expand the Child Tax Credit. You could also join First Focus on Children as an “Ambassador for Children” or become a paid subscriber to help us continue our work on behalf of children.