The Political Scene | The New Yorker

Episode Title: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Talks to David Remnick About Politics and Mortality
Air Date: September 12, 2016
Host: David Remnick
Guest: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Episode Overview

In this episode, David Remnick sits down with basketball legend, writer, and activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to discuss his political engagement, evolving views on race and society, the exploitation of college athletes, and issues of health and mortality for athletes. They reflect on Kareem’s activism from the Civil Rights era to the present, his perspective on education and opportunity in America, and his post-retirement writing career. The tone alternates between probing, reflective, straightforward, and warm, highlighting Abdul-Jabbar’s deep thinking and steady resolve.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Kareem’s Political Advocacy and the 2016 Election

• Why Speak Now?
  Abdul-Jabbar explains why he chose to appear at a political convention this year for the first time, underlining the urgency of the current political climate marked by racism and xenophobia.

  • “I wanted to go this year because I thought that whatever happens in this election will be very important for our country. And I wanted to take part and say whatever it was that I had to say.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar [02:57]
  • He notes previous invitations but emphasizes growing “tension and hatred” now making this moment “crucial.” [03:14]

• Racism, Xenophobia, and Trump
  Kareem attributes some of the nation’s unrest to demographic change and sees Trump exploiting these anxieties.

  • “A lot of people are noticing a change in our country...seeing that change taking place and not being able to do anything has made a lot of people uptight. And I think Donald Trump recognized that and decided to take advantage of it.” [03:55]

Sports, Activism, and Historical Continuity

• Refusing the Olympics & Civil Rights Influence
  Remnick frames Kareem’s career in the context of Muhammad Ali’s resistance, asking about his decision to forgo the ’68 Olympics.

  • Kareem says he’d likely play in the Olympics today: “There was a lot less incentive for me to forego the Olympics in years subsequent to 1968.” [04:40]
  • On the price for not playing: “I got criticized a lot, but...the American basketball team won the gold medal in 1968. So, nobody can blame me...I just moved on.” [04:53]

• Role Models and False Hopes
  They discuss a quote from James Baldwin and the complexity of being an “example” for others.

  • “Although you are proof it can be done, like a happy lottery winner waving a million dollar ticket, the odds are so astronomically against others that it sometimes feels as if you’re more the source of false hope and crushed dreams.” – (Remnick quoting Abdul-Jabbar’s book) [06:45]
  • Kareem: “Black Americans who are able to overcome the odds...people point to them as an example as to, well, why aren’t all black people that successful?” [07:06]
  • He credits his grandmother’s focus on education and discipline for helping him focus on his own potential, rather than external burdens of representation. [07:40]

On Education and Social Mobility

• Declining Opportunities
  Abdul-Jabbar voices concern over increased poverty and declining educational standards.
  • “We become too comfortable with mediocrity. American school kids now no longer lead the world in most academic disciplines...That’s a direct failure of our school system.” [06:03]
  • “People aren’t given the opportunity to get a first rate education and go on to college. It’s these kind of issues that really bother me.” [06:38]

College Athletics: Exploitation and Reform

• The Business of College Sports
  Kareem argues for fair compensation for college athletes, calling the tradition of “amateurism” hypocritical.
  • “College athletics generates billions of dollars in revenue and the college athletes don't get to share in that. People that run the NCAA have million dollar salaries.” [08:42]
  • On hypocrisy: “If the amateur experience was supposed to be so important, why aren't the coaches participating in it? They're taking home millions of dollars...” [09:32]
  • Recounts receiving support from businessman Sam Gilbert: “He scalped my tickets, which enabled me to have a few coins in my pocket.” [10:01]

The Dangers and Future of Football

• Football and CTE
  Kareem candidly discusses the dangers football players face, highlighting the toll of head injuries and early deaths:
  • “A number of my friends that play professional football are dead. A couple of them died this year...Ken Stabler, Jack Tatum’s dead.” [11:11]
  • “I don't know if it [football] is fixable, because I think the concussions are inevitable.” [11:48]
  • Remnick and Abdul-Jabbar discuss a possible future where football’s health problems could lead to its decline, much like boxing. [12:28]
  • Kareem: “If it doesn’t exist in the future, it’ll be for good reasons.” [12:28]

Athlete Health and Mortality

• Health After Retirement
  They talk about the health risks faced by retired athletes, particularly those of extraordinary size.
  • “A lot of guys, once they've stopped their professional career, they stop going to see doctors and don't see these things creeping up on them.” [13:17]
  • “Athletes think of themselves as so perfectly attuned to everything... So their health must be okay.” [13:31]

Life After Basketball

• Retirement and Writing
  • Kareem describes writing as a “crazy obsession, but it's fun and I wanted to do it.” [13:45]
  • On sports glory: “There probably are things that can match it, but it's really tough...The whole nation watches you and you have fans and friends all over the country.” [14:13]
  • Mixed feelings about fame and attention: “I wanted the opportunity to excel, but I also felt that it was also a lot of pressure.” [14:29]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I know that Donald Trump couldn’t tell the difference.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, satirically introducing himself as “Michael Jordan” at the Democratic National Convention [01:50]
• “We become too comfortable with mediocrity.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar [06:03]
• “College athletics generates billions of dollars in revenue and the college athletes don't get to share in that.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar [08:42]
• “I don't know if it [football] is fixable, because I think the concussions are inevitable.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar [11:48]
• “A lot of guys, once they've stopped their professional career, they stop going to see doctors and don't see these things creeping up on them.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar [13:17]

Important Timestamps

• [01:40] Introduction of Kareem at the DNC and his political engagement
• [02:57] Kareem explains why this election, and his appearance, is crucial
• [03:55] Reflections on racism, demographic change, and Donald Trump
• [04:40] On refusing to play in the 1968 Olympics
• [06:03] Critique of America’s educational decline
• [08:42] Discussion of college athlete exploitation
• [11:11] The toll of football on players’ health
• [13:17] Athlete health and neglect in retirement
• [13:45] Transition to writing and post-basketball life

Tone and Language

The conversation is intellectual, sharp, and personal, blending insight and candor. Remnick is probing but respectful; Abdul-Jabbar is measured, reflective, and direct, offering deep historical perspective and personal experience.

Summary

This episode offers a rich exploration of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s political awakening in a volatile era, his advocacy for educational and athletic reform, and a sobering view of athlete health and mortality. Kareem’s characteristic candor and humility are evident as he discusses burdens of representation, persistent inequality, and the meaning of achievement both on and off the court. The conversation weaves sports, politics, history, and personal narrative into a compelling portrait of an American icon still fiercely engaged in the world’s big questions.