MSHSL Petition To End Racism In Sporting Events
The Issue
Dear MSHSL,
In the year of 2022, I find it egregious that I must write this letter. Student-athletes have consistently been victims to harassment from opposing fans, specifically our Black athletes. Throughout all the years of suffering from bigotry and racial obscenities at the hands of spectators, no action has been taken to protect our athletes of color.
For some of these kids, sports are their one place to feel “safe”. It is their one place to relieve stress, anxiety, and forget about the pains of the real world. This therapeutic remedy has been stripped from them.
Sports are supposed to promote camaraderie, competition, enjoyment and gratification. Sports should bridge the gap between racial and economic divides, instead it’s fueling it. Our young athletes compete in games where fans (adults and students) proudly participate in calling players the N-word, labeling them as “thugs”, make obscene monkey noises, bring a noose to the gym and hanging it around their necks, or the necks of black baby dolls…the list goes on. Silence about this atrocious behavior is just more gasoline on this fire.
Our young men and women deserve better! The MSHSL needs to put rules in place to control this behavior, this starts with site level training on racial sensitivity. Now is the time for change!
My ask is that the following rules be implemented to prevent this behavior:
- If a team (players, coaches, student section, or fans) uses racially motivated dehumanizing remarks or actions, the game should be stopped immediately, the person in violation should be identified, and banned from all High School events. If the person in violation is a player or coach, the individual should be kicked off the team.
- If these negative and derogatory actions continue, the team in violation should have to play the remainder of their home games without fans.
- If there is a third violation, the team should have to forfeit the remainder of their season which will include post season play.
I understand that it may be difficult for us to control racism throughout society, but with your help, we have the power to control fan behavior in our schools and school activities.
“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” – Elie Wisel
Sincerely,
Marqus McGlothan
Petition Closed
The Issue
Dear MSHSL,
In the year of 2022, I find it egregious that I must write this letter. Student-athletes have consistently been victims to harassment from opposing fans, specifically our Black athletes. Throughout all the years of suffering from bigotry and racial obscenities at the hands of spectators, no action has been taken to protect our athletes of color.
For some of these kids, sports are their one place to feel “safe”. It is their one place to relieve stress, anxiety, and forget about the pains of the real world. This therapeutic remedy has been stripped from them.
Sports are supposed to promote camaraderie, competition, enjoyment and gratification. Sports should bridge the gap between racial and economic divides, instead it’s fueling it. Our young athletes compete in games where fans (adults and students) proudly participate in calling players the N-word, labeling them as “thugs”, make obscene monkey noises, bring a noose to the gym and hanging it around their necks, or the necks of black baby dolls…the list goes on. Silence about this atrocious behavior is just more gasoline on this fire.
Our young men and women deserve better! The MSHSL needs to put rules in place to control this behavior, this starts with site level training on racial sensitivity. Now is the time for change!
My ask is that the following rules be implemented to prevent this behavior:
- If a team (players, coaches, student section, or fans) uses racially motivated dehumanizing remarks or actions, the game should be stopped immediately, the person in violation should be identified, and banned from all High School events. If the person in violation is a player or coach, the individual should be kicked off the team.
- If these negative and derogatory actions continue, the team in violation should have to play the remainder of their home games without fans.
- If there is a third violation, the team should have to forfeit the remainder of their season which will include post season play.
I understand that it may be difficult for us to control racism throughout society, but with your help, we have the power to control fan behavior in our schools and school activities.
“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” – Elie Wisel
Sincerely,
Marqus McGlothan
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Petition created on February 23, 2022