Upon reflecting on the incidents of this weekend & thinking of it in the context of my own experience, I’m really disappointed by that fact that Black players are continually offered little to no support when dealing with instances of racism in the league. 1/6
I remember being put in situations where I felt constrained and unable to speak up about what was happening, for fear of repercussion and being ostracized. Too often I felt alone & unsupported by teammates & staff. 2/6
I think this is a really teachable moment in terms of what being ally really means in the context of anti-racist work. And just how much work needs to be done on the part of allies in ensuring that they are creating safe spaces for Black players and fans. 3/6
I talk about holding organizations accountable, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t an absolute need to hold individuals accountable in matters of racism. It is all of our jobs to call out racist behavior, & to unequivocally condemn it EVERY TIME. 4/6
There is undoubtedly a very racist and toxic culture surrounding the American soccer landscape, and larger discussions definitely need to be had, but sit in this moment & reflect about how YOU are perpetuating systems of injustice with your silence and complicity. 5/6
How are you helping and supporting your Black teammates? Your favorite Black players? Your Black friends in the community? How are you making sure they know you’re in their corner? That they can trust you to have their back? 6/6
You can follow @hiyakaiya.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: