Rooting Out Racism

A week ago, the Duke University women’s volleyball team travelled to BYU for a match. Someone from the BYU student section repeatedly yelled racist slurs at a Black player on Duke’s team. They used the n-word. The next night, the BYU athletic director called out the behavior but never once referred to it as “racism.” A week later, legendary South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley canceled their upcoming games against BYU. 

In response, the BYU women’s basketball program posted this to Twitter: 

"We are extremely disappointed in South Carolina's decision to cancel our series and ask for patience with the on-going investigation. We believe the solution is to work together to root out racism and not to separate from one another. #LoveOneAnother" 

This tweet is problematic. Oppressors cannot criticize the “separation” created when oppressed people put up a boundary for protection. Language like “love one another” and “work together” seek the moral high ground by making it sound like both sides need to make the same effort. They don’t. Racists bear the responsibility “to root out racism.” Jesus called it repentance, war-time language that literally meant switching sides and taking cues from the other team. 

When I was the athletic director at Capistrano Valley High School, I was clueless about race. If I knew then what I know now, I would advocate for a training program that strengthens the racial consciousness of coaches and student-athletes. The focus would be placed on what we are for: fully affirming Black and Native communities and other athletes of color. This vital work is not “wokeness” or “cancel culture.” It’s an opportunity for white people to grow our souls.