The document gives 11 reasons to demonstrate against the Davis Cup tennis match. The match has enormous publicity value to South Africa, when it has been isolated in virtually every other sport. South African tennis players have had above average success, but there are few remaining outlets to play. South Africa has changed its sporting policies only after tremendous external pressure. The small, cosmetic changes that have been implemented with the assistance of individuals like Arthur Ashe were made possible by the international boycotts of South African sport. The Davis Cup is a private competition; private U.S. players should not play teams that represent countries whose national sports...
The document gives 11 reasons to demonstrate against the Davis Cup tennis match. The match has enormous publicity value to South Africa, when it has been isolated in virtually every other sport. South African tennis players have had above average success, but there are few remaining outlets to play. South Africa has changed its sporting policies only after tremendous external pressure. The small, cosmetic changes that have been implemented with the assistance of individuals like Arthur Ashe were made possible by the international boycotts of South African sport. The Davis Cup is a private competition; private U.S. players should not play teams that represent countries whose national sports policies, decided at the cabinet level, are avowedly discriminatory. Protesting the Davis Cup match has symbolic value much like the repeal of the Byrd Amendment regarding sanctions against Rhodesia; it would restore some credibility in the eyes of African nations. Ping-pong was used to open channels with China, and baseball may signal change in U.S. policy towards Cuba. Condemning this tennis match signals to the White House that the U.S. public is watching developments in South Africa and would disapprove of closer links with South Africa on any level. A protest of the match should speak out against not only South African sport policies but also against the killings of student demonstrators in Soweto and other townships last year.
