LEADERSHIP
"He took the burden of race and wore it as a cloak of dignity."
-Andrew Young, Former United States Ambassador for the United Nations
Source: Arthur Ashe, U.S. Sport's Greatest Icon?, CNN
As an activist, Arthur Ashe participated in several events that changed history, such as protesting the mistreatment of refugees from Haiti, becoming Davis Cup captain, or raising awareness of South African apartheid and AIDS.
"I remember his favorite T-shirt. It read, 'I Am a Citizen of the World.' " |
"Ashe was a great tennis player, but also a great social activist. He was the first black player allowed to enter the South African Championships while Apartheid (segregation) was still in effect in the country. He argued on behalf of refugees from Haiti, he worked to get better education for minority athletes, and raised money for African American college foundations, among other things. His battle with AIDS led to more education about the disease in the 1990s." |
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