independent t-test to compare the P-score differences between the users who used the hashtag and a randomly selected user of the same platform and when comparing the 111,172 users who used the hashtag to the random users, they proved to be significantly more liberal and that was demonstrated by the t-test results (Samuel-Azran, Hayat, Galily 87). For some context, a P-score is essentially the probability that a given event will occur or can also be considered a representation of how significant something is in a statistical test. A t-test is a statistical test used to determine whether or not there is a statistically significant difference between the means of two different populations. In this case, the t-test showed that there is a significant difference between the means of the populations (users who used the hashtag vs. random social media users), which directly correlated to a difference in how liberal these groups are; this is important because it also shows that political status is a major player in sports activism. (Priyanka)

Here they discussed how Kaepernick's activism of taking a knee in 2016 during the national anthem, as a way to silently protest the inequality and police brutality in America, ignited an entire movement of similar protests. The “Kaepernick Effect” explains how the taking of the knee during the anthem is being replicated around the nation from all ages, creating a new language for activism in the black community. The football team of Garfield High school was inspired by the new language of black activism. As a team they took the step of educating themselves on black suffrage and brutality and together took a knee and their high school games. (Zirnin, 2021). The language reached ages even younger, depicting just how strong the inspiration was to portray unity against discrimination in the country. Beaumont Texas Bulls was a youth team of 11-13 years old who felt strongly that they wanted to take a knee and proceeded to do so at games with both coach & parent support. (Zirnin, 2021). In both these instances, along with Kaepernick, there was never any regret or dejection for the actions they took, even when both teams received backlash and especially when the Beaumont Bulls youth football league was canceled. It goes without saying that The Kaepernick Effect was more than just silent activism. It was purpose and determination to portray a unified community that could speak against black suffrage in the United States. 

• The article about Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf's protest discussed the amount of backlash Mahmood Abdul-Rauf faced after protesting silently as the national anthem was being played during a basketball game.  Within this article, Mahmoud’s torment is depicted as aspects in his everyday life were threatened and destroyed, such as a white supremacy group burning down his house in response to his protest.  Based on the premises of many of the other experiences of athletes and activism, one could correlate athletes' use of free speech and expressing their beliefs with the destruction of their life based on the reaction from those who disagree with the athletes actions.  Something one could ponder on is how gravely the backlash differs from athletes vs non athletes once a protest has taken place.  Do non athletes risk the same level of backlash as athletes do when engaging in forms of activism and protest? How could athletes' free speech become better protected ?

  
  

  
  

  
  

  2. Activism → Social Activism → How can social activism assist with battling social challenges?

• Chapter 7 of "Public Interest Communication" focused on Advocacy and Activism in the arena of social challenges. They discussed specificities like the categories of activism, what activism achieves, and what happens when, through activism, their goals aren't reached. This specific book includes matching quizzes, short clips, and statistics to provide a substantial well rounded research on activism and advocacy. https://uq.pressbooks.pub/publicinterestcomm/chapter/advocacy-and-activism/