We’ve already been told by the State Department that one of the primary factors driving men to join ISIS is the “lack of opportunity for jobs.” We’re not sure what progress President Obama has made on that front, but rest assured that the first lady is tacking a similar link on the domestic front between a lack of equal access to sports and a rise in gun crime.
Michelle O: Bored kids get guns and 'just go off on society' https://t.co/0CbE6zoCyf via @DCExaminer
— Paul Bedard (@SecretsBedard) May 18, 2016
Michelle Obama, alongside her brother, sportscaster Michael Wilbon, took the message of her “Let’s Play” initiative to the Aspen Institute’s Play Summit Tuesday morning, where she managed to work guns into the discussion of “physical literacy.”
The Washington Examiner reports on her remarks on crime and its link to play at the summit:
“Why are we confused about why crime rates are going up? It’s not a complicated set of scenarios, unless people don’t really understand just what a wasteland so many kids are living in in terms of activity.”
…
“We can’t be surprised with what kids do with idle time. And that’s sort of one of the things — when we look at crime rates and all that sort of stuff, it’s like, these are a bunch of bored kids that are unsupervised who don’t know how to play. If we start there — and then we give them a gun. And then you’ve got such a lethal combination,” added the first lady.
… and then we give them a gun? Who’s we? Has anyone spotted Eric Holder on a playground recently?
It shouldn’t be surprising at this point to learn that play inequality, like income inequality, needs to be added to the government’s list of inequities to address. “Let’s remember, in a lot of urban settings, those opportunities, recess and gym, don’t exist anymore for kids,” said Mrs. Obama. And we thought America had gotten much better under this administration.
We are just about to kick off #ProjectPlay Summit — follow along and watch live: https://t.co/kCEEQZdGMS pic.twitter.com/AdQMavhhYq
— Aspen Inst Sports (@AspenInstSports) May 17, 2016
"Without access to sports — we're missing out on the next generation of athletes & fans." —The First Lady at @AspenInstSports. #ProjectPlay
— First Lady- Archived (@FLOTUS44) May 17, 2016
I spent a lot of time as a spectator because the opportunity wasn't there says @FLOTUS on stage at #ProjectPlay.
— Aspen Inst Sports (@AspenInstSports) May 17, 2016
"This has to become a priority in our society." @FLOTUS on access to sports for all regardless of zip code or ability. #ProjectPlay
— Aspen Inst Sports (@AspenInstSports) May 17, 2016
Important theme in #PhysicalLiteracy from @FLOTUS at today's Washington #ProjectPlay conference: ACCESS FOR ALL. https://t.co/a0diXDNEmU
— AfLResources (@AfLResources) May 17, 2016
Other panelists agreed that there’s an unequal distribution of sports resources as well as athletic ability.
Equity is about making sure you’re lining up the child’s needs & the opportunity for them to receive it. Jorge Perez @youth_dev #ProjectPlay
— Aspen Inst Sports (@AspenInstSports) May 17, 2016
"Youth sports is too dominated by being the best and only for those who have the resources" #ProjectPlay @livingourcause @ymca
— Jorge Perez (@youth_dev) May 17, 2016
@FLOTUS: If every kid is in over-specialized organized sports, then there's nobody left to play with. #ProjectPlay @ymca @livingourcause
— Spencer Bonnie (@spencerbonnieY) May 17, 2016
There is urgency here. We need to make policy and to look at the local level, the communities kids are in now. –@RisaLavizzo #ProjectPlay
— Aspen Inst Sports (@AspenInstSports) May 17, 2016
It’s agreed, then, that play can be as simple as chasing each other around …
Don't over complicate play. Keep it simple! Sometimes, a game of "chase" is all it takes. @FLOTUS #ProjectPlay pic.twitter.com/n3Zf5lRyCP
— Playworks (@Playworks) May 17, 2016
… but there’s also an urgent need to design cities around children and families.
We need to design cities with kids and families in mind. –@JamesSiegal of @kaboom #ProjectPlay pic.twitter.com/fHMj9EZQi2
— Aspen Inst Sports (@AspenInstSports) May 17, 2016
Finally, remember that “inclusion is not just a philosophy” but a fundamental transformation.
How will you help get America's youth active through sport? Tweet your response using #ProjectPlay pic.twitter.com/8UGH9r5jnv
— Aspen Inst Sports (@AspenInstSports) May 17, 2016
Join the conversation as a VIP Member