Lack of diversity in lacrosse

[Anonymous]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/01/11/one-nations-best-young-lacrosse-players-confronts-lack-diversity-her-sport/

Interesting read. I have a lot of different feelings here, but its obviously not a good look for the sport of lacrosse.

I also feel like a 15 yr old is being taken advantage of from the Washington Post.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

US lacrosse is tone deaf to this issue. The PLL, the club circuit, HOCO and others are as well. Minority players/non white players do not need Tolkien teams like Harlem Lacrosse and others to be promoted. What needs to happen is promoting the sport to all areas and income brackets. Why tout developing teams in third world countries when you can’t build decent teams in DC and Baltimore public schools. How about starting at home US lacrosse?

[Anonymous]

This is an outstanding article. My daughter is a non white player (hispanic) and also has faces these challenges.

[Anonymous]

I think accusations of racism are serious, and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Accusing coaches of being racist because an inexperienced player with questionable stick work (as all inexperienced players are) is put on defense.

Accusing teammates of being racist because they don't pass you the ball.

You'll find both happen on every team, some girls hog the ball, some girls can't catch, so players avoid passing them the ball.

Maybe there was racist undertones to those decisions, certainly not enough evidence to conclude it is accurate and irresponsible imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/01/11/one-nations-best-young-lacrosse-players-confronts-lack-diversity-her-sport/

Interesting read. I have a lot of different feelings here, but its obviously not a good look for the sport of lacrosse.

I also feel like a 15 yr old is being taken advantage of from the Washington Post.

Thoughts?

How is the Post taking advantage of a child who has consenting adult parents who were also interviewed for the article? I think her parents are clearly prepared to advocate for their daughter and make decisions that are in her best interest based on their portrayal in the piece.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/01/11/one-nations-best-young-lacrosse-players-confronts-lack-diversity-her-sport/

Interesting read. I have a lot of different feelings here, but its obviously not a good look for the sport of lacrosse.

I also feel like a 15 yr old is being taken advantage of from the Washington Post.

Thoughts?

How is the Post taking advantage of a child who has consenting adult parents who were also interviewed for the article? I think her parents are clearly prepared to advocate for their daughter and make decisions that are in her best interest based on their portrayal in the piece.

15 yr old may not have full understanding of the type of accusations being made and how it could hurt her in the future or hurt others being accused in the article.
"We could take over if we want to" is not a very positive quote, certainly not one that is inclusive and its not a leap to say that its knocking the current lacrosse players she is teammates with and competes against.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think accusations of racism are serious, and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Accusing coaches of being racist because an inexperienced player with questionable stick work (as all inexperienced players are) is put on defense.

Accusing teammates of being racist because they don't pass you the ball.

You'll find both happen on every team, some girls hog the ball, some girls can't catch, so players avoid passing them the ball.

Maybe there was racist undertones to those decisions, certainly not enough evidence to conclude it is accurate and irresponsible imo.

I am guessing you are white and usually not on the receiving end of this sort of race based discrimination? The entire point is that the attitudes are pervasive, the actions are nearly impossible to prove, by design, and thusly, will continue until enough sunlight is on an issue and someone white decides to be a race traitor and admit to what they know happens behind closed doors.

Most people will say the exact same thing you are saying, that accusations of racism are serious and shouldn't be taken lightly. But racist actions happen all the time and white people look the other way, because it doesn't affect them, or they are giving the benefit of the doubt to colleagues or teammates, or they don't want to cause social discomfort. Then, those who are perpetuating discriminatory acts are protected, and emboldened to continue, because they know their fellow white peers will not check their behaviors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think accusations of racism are serious, and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Accusing coaches of being racist because an inexperienced player with questionable stick work (as all inexperienced players are) is put on defense.

Accusing teammates of being racist because they don't pass you the ball.

You'll find both happen on every team, some girls hog the ball, some girls can't catch, so players avoid passing them the ball.

Maybe there was racist undertones to those decisions, certainly not enough evidence to conclude it is accurate and irresponsible imo.

I am guessing you are white and usually not on the receiving end of this sort of race based discrimination? The entire point is that the attitudes are pervasive, the actions are nearly impossible to prove, by design, and thusly, will continue until enough sunlight is on an issue and someone white decides to be a race traitor and admit to what they know happens behind closed doors.

Most people will say the exact same thing you are saying, that accusations of racism are serious and shouldn't be taken lightly. But racist actions happen all the time and white people look the other way, because it doesn't affect them, or they are giving the benefit of the doubt to colleagues or teammates, or they don't want to cause social discomfort. Then, those who are perpetuating discriminatory acts are protected, and emboldened to continue, because they know their fellow white peers will not check their behaviors.

"race traitor" is a very divisive description. Way to be part of the problem and not the solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think accusations of racism are serious, and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Accusing coaches of being racist because an inexperienced player with questionable stick work (as all inexperienced players are) is put on defense.

Accusing teammates of being racist because they don't pass you the ball.

You'll find both happen on every team, some girls hog the ball, some girls can't catch, so players avoid passing them the ball.

Maybe there was racist undertones to those decisions, certainly not enough evidence to conclude it is accurate and irresponsible imo.

I am guessing you are white and usually not on the receiving end of this sort of race based discrimination? The entire point is that the attitudes are pervasive, the actions are nearly impossible to prove, by design, and thusly, will continue until enough sunlight is on an issue and someone white decides to be a race traitor and admit to what they know happens behind closed doors.

Most people will say the exact same thing you are saying, that accusations of racism are serious and shouldn't be taken lightly. But racist actions happen all the time and white people look the other way, because it doesn't affect them, or they are giving the benefit of the doubt to colleagues or teammates, or they don't want to cause social discomfort. Then, those who are perpetuating discriminatory acts are protected, and emboldened to continue, because they know their fellow white peers will not check their behaviors.

I am white and if you are white you know that not everything is motivated by race. A minority not getting the ball is not a "racist action", that's the point. A coach putting a minority on defense is not a "racist action". She is on M&D's B team and is clearly a very talented player. Reading between the lines, the accusation there is she is on their B team because the A team wouldn't play her at middie, her preferred position. That is one hell of an accusation.


I agree we need more minorities in the sport, but there are a lot of issues that is keeping that from happening that is not racist. The PG County playoff team last year didn't even have a full starting lineup to compete in the playoff game. That's an issue.

[Anonymous]

I recently started a child in lacrosse and I am in awe of the dedication of the volunteer coaches, because our town’s strong program would not exist without them. These are former players with full-time jobs and families. So how do you propose they also take on the responsibility of creating diversity in the sport? We are lucky that they show up each week, lugging equipment and dealing with weather.

[Anonymous]

Watch the documentary called City Lax.

Now the PG County high schools have Lacrosse all the pretty boys with average talent are going to see what it like when you play against hungry kids with great agility.

Hungry dogs run faster

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Watch the documentary called City Lax.

Now the PG County high schools have Lacrosse all the pretty boys with average talent are going to see what it like when you play against hungry kids with great agility.

Hungry dogs run faster

This exactly. Lax was a way for privileged white mediocre athletes to play at a level they couldn’t in sports with more diversity like football, basketball, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Watch the documentary called City Lax.

Now the PG County high schools have Lacrosse all the pretty boys with average talent are going to see what it like when you play against hungry kids with great agility.

Hungry dogs run faster

This exactly. Lax was a way for privileged white mediocre athletes to play at a level they couldn’t in sports with more diversity like football, basketball, etc.

Wow. What an absolutely racist statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Watch the documentary called City Lax.

Now the PG County high schools have Lacrosse all the pretty boys with average talent are going to see what it like when you play against hungry kids with great agility.

Hungry dogs run faster

This exactly. Lax was a way for privileged white mediocre athletes to play at a level they couldn’t in sports with more diversity like football, basketball, etc.

Wow. What an absolutely racist statement.

+ 1 Comparing minority players to dogs? Using tropes about minorities in athletics. Disgusting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Watch the documentary called City Lax.

Now the PG County high schools have Lacrosse all the pretty boys with average talent are going to see what it like when you play against hungry kids with great agility.

Hungry dogs run faster

This exactly. Lax was a way for privileged white mediocre athletes to play at a level they couldn’t in sports with more diversity like football, basketball, etc.

Wow. What an absolutely racist statement.

100% racist statement but that is what was essentially said within this article.