“I Was in a Position to Enact Change:” College Athletes’ Use of Social Media for Racial and Social Justice

Abstract

Recent shifts in societal activism have prompted an exploration of athlete activism, particularly within higher education, where social media has become a pivotal platform for social impact. This paper investigates Division I college athletes’ engagement in athlete activism through the lens of self-authorship and self-presentation on social media for racial and social justice. Existing research underscores the significance of social media in athlete activism, focusing on access barriers, advocacy efforts, and resistance against inequalities. Through an exploratory study, we investigate how college athletes’ processes of self-authorship and selfpresentation relate to social media activism. Our findings reveal three overarching themes: social media as an activist tool, empowerment, and a starting point for advocacy. The findings suggest avenues for college sports administrators to facilitate dialogue, comprehend the strategic utilization of social media in athlete activism, and acknowledge college athletes’ aspiration for increased involvement in effecting meaningful change within their communities. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of college athletes’ contributions to social discourse and racial and social justice initiatives.