It’s always a little entertaining to see a professional athlete get passionate about something other than sports.
For the eccentrics such as Ron Artest, there’s always an off-hand name change or a Dancing with the Stars cameo to spice life up.
For Adonal Foyle, it’s the possibility of a clean election.
Foyle, who played with the Golden State Warriors, the Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies, was a guest speaker in Political Science 179 on Wednesday, where he discussed campaign reform and his nonprofit student organization, Democracy Matters.
“One of the most disturbing trends is that we don’t have enough money in the system,” the former NBA athlete said. “It allows the corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money in a way they see fit … a Supreme Court decision says money equals free speech.”
Foyle spoke out against this decision, saying it inhibits true democracy and puts the power to sway an election in the hands of the rich and elite, rather than equally spreading influence across the entire population.
“In a true democracy, everyone who has a great idea should be able to address the government and get their ideas heard,” he said.
Democracy Matters advocates for public financing of election campaigns on over 50 college campuses across the country. Foyle said he particularly enjoys working with young adults because he acknowledges their ability to change the future.
“I love coming here,” Foyle said, “because young people have always been at the forefront of social movements. They’re always fueled by young people. You go (to the polls) with emotion, you go with what’s fair.”
Foyle went on to add that hot-button topics such as sex, politics and religion, although defining this generation, are ignored and suppressed rather than debated. However, he believes that if students can find a way to discuss them, then they can enact change.
“Look beyond just you, look for what can unite you rather than what can divide you,” he said.