Megan Sullivan -- Core Response #1

 In the article "Sporting dissent: Colin Kaepernick, NFL activism and media framing contests, I reflected on a conversation we had in class regarding the power starts have, largely as a result of social media, to use their stardom to generate conversations about social issues that are able to be heard by a large audience. The article discusses this in relation to Colin Kaepernick and his fan base when he took a bold move to kneel during the national anthem. The article highlights Kaepernick's attitude and motivation for the act as he hoped to inspire others to stand up for their civil rights by sitting down for a flag that he feels does not represent him and his community. Though authors Boykoff, Carrington, and quotes from Kaepernick make it clear that his intentions are to spread a social message, the article dives into how the act was more important than the personal cost which ended up being his inability to work for the NFL after this was all said and done. Notably, the article describes how political actions are "framed" in the media, assigning certain characteristics of personality based on how a political action is framed in newspapers and on social media, for example. 

I think that this is an interesting conflict that stars today now have to face that may be different from stardom historically. While some stars such as Colin Kaepernick chose to use his platform with the motive of firing conversation about important racial topics, other stars may feel obligated to speak about certain issues because of the weight saying nothing at all holds on social media now. I think this has led to insensitivity when it comes to using stardom and fandoms to post about social concerns. On the other hand, stars are in a unique position to start conversations, perhaps in a unique position of power in comparison to others in their racial or social community, such as Kaepernick. Thus, stars who are willing to speak out and potentially sacrifice their careers in the age of "cancel culture" and political powerhouses are truly in a special position to start conversations and evoke change. 


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