Ricky Gervais shocked Hollywood at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards when he harshly criticized stars for using the award stage to project their political platforms.
“You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything,” Gervais said in his opening monologue. “You know nothing about the real world.”
Public figures have the right to freedom of speech, like everybody else. But regardless of platform, career, or politics, one should use this right prudently. Part of this depends on knowing the proper time, place, and platform to make political statements.
Professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe made headlines in 2016 when she kneeled during the national anthem in solidarity with football player Colin Kaepernick. Before the FIFA World Cup Final last June, Rapinoe complained about the prize money gap between men’s and women’s FIFA world cup winners.
Most recently, she slammed the International Olympic Committee for banning political statements and protests at the 2020 games in Tokyo. The IOC rulebook, which was recently given to expected competitors, explicitly bands kneeling and hand gestures during the games.
The rules, however, do not prohibit athletes from expressing their political opinions on the internet or social media accounts throughout the games. There is also nothing that prohibits the Olympians from making political statements during interviews.
Controversial opinions or ideas that contradict popular narratives should not be silenced. But those making these statements should do so on their own time — just like government employees or anyone else in the workforce.
There is a time and a place to respectfully express one’s opinions and critiques, particularly if individuals feel they are shedding light on a grave injustice against themselves or others. But that time is certainly not while they are on the clock.
