Last season I was so proud of the #NWSL. The majority of players kneeled for the anthem, wore #BlackLivesMatter shirts for warm-ups, and helped support BIPOC organizations, both through volunteering and fundraising. Some even participated in peaceful protests in their cities.

Supporters Groups banded together to call for unity and social justice, and clubs held auctions to raise money for BIPOC initiatives and organizations. The @BWP_Collective was formed to help shed light on aadvocate for diversity and inclusion in the NWSL.

It seemed like the #NWSL was moving in the right direction, and I was so proud to be a part of the league, even in my tiny role as media.

But then the opening weekend of the #CC21 happened, and there was not one, but two incidents of racism around the league. One was perpetuated by a club’s official Twitter account, and the other involved stadium staff. Both left BIPOC players feeling unsafe. #NWSL

It took two attempts for the Dash to put out a statement that better addressed the incident at BBVA Stadium, but even the second statement failed to call out the racial profiling for what it was. The Dash’s official SG has yet to put a statement out condemning what occurred.

Portland’s staff double and triple-downed on their social media posts, even after some of their own fans provided education on how the tweets perpetuated harmful stereotypes and white supremacist ideology. The tweets are still up three days later. #NWSL

Portland’s main SG finally put out a statement last night, but it is generic and is seemingly about the incident in Houston as much as the one in Portland. It fails to call any team out specifically, let alone their own, so as to actually hold them accountable for their actions.

And yet both SG’s are currently participating in fundraisers inspired by the @BWP_Collective and benefiting local BIPOC groups.

My point is this: The #NWSL still has a long way to come. It is not enough to raise money or wear a shirt if you do not condemn racism when it occurs.

It’s not enough to put #BLM in your profile or on your shirt if your response to someone pointing out harmful, racist rhetoric is to defend it because it’s your team or your stadium or your favorite player. Raising money to a BIPOC org does nothing if you ignore BIPOC voices.

And if you truly want your team to be the best in the league, then hold them accountable when they mess up. Publicly, privately, and as often as necessary until real, effective change occurs. @Cloud9SBFC has proven that the voices of supporters can make a world of difference.

Another Black man was senselessly killed by police this weekend just miles away from where George Floyd’s murder trial is being held. I cannot imagine the pain and fear our BIPOC players are feeling. The #NWSL should be a safe place for them and not a place that endangers them.

I’ll step off my soap box now, but let’s just do better, #NWSL peeps. Especially white fans and people around the league. It is our responsibility to call out racism when we see it, even when it’s uncomfortable. Especially when it’s uncomfortable.

I say all of this out of love. I know from personal experience how hurtful it is to be an ally and have your embedded biases called out. I want to get defensive, too, but we can’t do that if we truly are allies. We have to listen when called out so that we can grow and be better.

And we absolutely have to listen to BIPOC players, fans, and outsiders when they tell us something is racist or harmful, and we must take appropriate action to erase the harm we have caused and take accountability for it. #BlackLivesMatter and so do our BIPOC players. #NWSL

A quick update: The Thorns deleted the “innocent” tweet sometime today, but the “Photo of the Night” tweet is still up and is still harmful. I appreciate that they listened to constructive criticism and took some action, but it’s not enough. The damage has been done. #NWSL

The Thorns’ reply to Sarah Gorden’s request that they delete the “innocent” tweet, which they apparently did some time after this response. No clue whether any official team statement will be forthcoming or if this is it. #NWSL https://twitter.com/thornsfc/status/1382045936197672960