“A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” – Malcolm X
Last week Grambling State University football players took a stand when they protested against adverse conditions. The players allege that Grambling’s workout facilities are unsafe and include mold and mildew on various machines and equipment. They also cited the improper cleaning of game and practice uniforms, which has led to “multiple” staph infections.
In addition, GSU players claimed they have to pay for their own sports drinks and protein shakes and they have to drink water from a garden hose. And then there’s the issue with travel. GSU players say traveling by bus to places as far away as Indianapolis causes them to be “drained and exhausted.” The team’s voyage to Indy a couple weeks ago to participate in the Circle City Classic was a 15-hour bus ride. They arrived at 9 a.m. Friday and had to take the field against Alcorn State University at 3 p.m. the following day.
I’m not certain if fatigue had anything to do with it, but Alcorn gave Grambling a fierce beating at Classic, winning the game 48-0.
When Grambling’s football players went on strike, they refused to practice and they even bailed out on my alma mater’s homecoming – Jackson State University. Although many who attended Jackson State’s homecoming festivities were upset by Grambling’s protest, I actually commend the players for taking such a stand.
One must be able to effectively communicate what they want and if communication doesn’t work, sometimes the next step is to demonstrate. The key is the demonstrations should be well organized, unified and peaceful.
Peaceful demonstrations are great ways to draw attention to one’s plight. Demonstrations can also be pretty strategic ways to get issues resolved. In the case of Grambling, both apply. The football team’s stance resulted in national awareness on an issue that plagues many schools. It also raises questions about federal funding and the internal disbursement of funds by colleges and universities.
However what is probably most important is the lesson GSU’s football players gained from the experience. Those young men stood up for something they believed was wrong and as a result, action is being taken to improve the situation.
Many people may not have considered the true sacrifice of Grambling’s players: many jeopardized their scholarships by refusing to play and some may have even compromised their chance of being considered by NFL scouts. Nonetheless, the players were united in their approach and they voiced their concern over various issues.
Oftentimes our teens and young adults get unfairly characterized as lazy, shiftless, and uneducated. Some people paint an ugly picture of young adults, a picture that leads many to believe that kids, particularly Black kids, don’t care about much of anything. And the things they do care about, they are unwilling to work hard to acquire such things.
Grambling’s football team proved that today’s young Black youths can be athletes who are engaged academically and socially. The players proved that they there are more substantive things to concern ones self with than simply running the ball.
While the team’s actions brought about an athletic awareness of sorts, their actions were also a call to action – not just for officials at Grambling, but also to alumni of Grambling and other of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
In comparison to their white counterparts, contributions from graduates from HBCUs are significantly lower. It’s time for that tide to turn. As graduates of HBCUs, it is our responsibility to give back. We have to continue sowing the seed for academic excellence. Many alumni of Black schools return for homecoming each year, yet those same people generally do not donate to their alma mater. In essence, we show up for the party, but don’t contribute financially to initiatives that can enhance one’s academic success. We must do better in this regard.
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
