Leveraging the Power of College Sports: Black Student Athletes and the Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
The excitement surrounding March Madness, the pinnacle of the NCAA basketball season, has gripped college sports fans across America. This annual event is the culmination of countless hours of practice and dedication for student athletes. However, as we witness this championship season unfold, Black college players cannot help but reflect on the broader context of their educational experiences and the role they can play in shaping policies that affect them.
College sports are a source of immense pride for institutions and communities, and many of these teams boast impressive records in marquee sports like basketball and football. However, some colleges and universities that proudly display these achievements are located in states that have been actively dismantling initiatives aimed at reversing decades of racial bias and discrimination. These programs were established in response to the tragic death of George Floyd and the subsequent fight for racial justice.
The paradox is that a significant number of these schools would not enjoy the same level of athletic success without the contributions of Black student athletes, many of whom make up a substantial portion of their teams. The financial implications of losing these talented players could be catastrophic, as college sports generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from television contracts, alumni donations, and ticket sales.
Black student athletes may not fully realize the potential influence they hold over academic policies that could negatively impact them. It is crucial for high school students considering colleges to avoid institutions that are abandoning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Current students at schools dismantling DEI initiatives should also consider whether their academic needs might be better served elsewhere, in consultation with their families and guardians.
The stakes for Black student athletes in safeguarding DEI are the same as those for the Black community at large. Since 2023, state legislators have introduced over 65 bills aimed at prohibiting colleges from hiring diverse faculty, removing cultural competency training, and undermining comprehensive curriculum. These trends are part of a coordinated attack on Black America’s progress and future.
The states that seek to undermine educational opportunities and holistic learning environments profit significantly from Black talent, their families, and fans. To combat this situation, we must all use every available tool to fight back against these attacks. Black Americans possess the power of choice – where we take our talents, spend our money, and dedicate our time. I urge student athletes to choose wisely.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, a landmark decision that initiated the process of desegregating schools in the United States. Despite this progress, many Black students still face insurmountable barriers to receiving an equitable education, and dismantling DEI initiatives threatens to reverse decades of progress.
By embracing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, we can combat systemic racism and ensure that America is a country of opportunity for all. We must reject the efforts to take us backward and instead move forward together towards continued prosperity and progress.
For Black Americans, our culture has been a powerful force in moving us forward, but it is the power of community that will sustain us through these challenging times. In the face of the current manufactured culture war, let us not shy away from using the strength of our community as a weapon against those seeking to divide and undermine the progress we have made.
The essence of sports lies in their ability to build community, but this sense of community should empower progress, not hinder it. Black student athletes hold the potential to embody these values as they make decisions that impact their own careers and the larger Black American community.
