Soccer Academy’s Step Up

[Anonymous]

An area that is so rich in Diversity, I thought that in times like these our top academies would rise to the occasion.

Yesterday, #blackouttuesday several soccer academies (Bethesda, Potomac, Brit-Am, PPA to name
a few) posted black squares on their Instagram page but a black square is insufficient, they should examine their motives and not participate in performative allyship.

I understand that it’s more comfortable for you to post a black square than your use words, power, your body, and your money to fight racism but I beg of them to do it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An area that is so rich in Diversity, I thought that in times like these our top academies would rise to the occasion.

Yesterday, #blackouttuesday several soccer academies (Bethesda, Potomac, Brit-Am, PPA to name
a few) posted black squares on their Instagram page but a black square is insufficient, they should examine their motives and not participate in performative allyship.

I understand that it’s more comfortable for you to post a black square than your use words, power, your body, and your money to fight racism but I beg of them to do it!

100% Agree. All these "community" organizations cater to a very specific part of said community and have done next to nothing to help change the system. Hopefully this is a sign of commitment to change.

With that said, I'd also take a close look at who isn't saying anything. Our club has stayed silent and I know it's been asked by members and staff to say something. The head of club has cowardly chosen to remain silent and that's beyond disappointing.

[Anonymous]

100% agree with both responses! I’m a coach for a soccer academy in the area and we haven’t heard any response as yet from parents and coaches emailing Directors to see what their stance is. Last email we’ve gotten from our Directors was about camps and paying fees for fall season.

[Anonymous]

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” — Dr Martin Luther King J

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” — Archbishop Desmond Tutu

As the parent of an young AA male playing soccer in a travel league and going to school when he is the only AA male in his class, I agree with all above. These kids look for direction in not only their parents but also from those in authoritative positions such as league coaches, directors, etc. Its doing all of these them a disservice if you refuse to at least show that you are aware and have made a stance- you cannot shield them from the real world forever - Im sure they are somewhat aware just from the media in itself.

[Anonymous]

Y'all are rediculous. You think posting on social media is a sufficient response to these issues? Those words mean absolutely nothing. Too little, too easy, too weak.

Their actions are the only important response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Y'all are rediculous. You think posting on social media is a sufficient response to these issues? Those words mean absolutely nothing. Too little, too easy, too weak.

Their actions are the only important response.

I think everyone above here would agree with you that their actions are the only important response and WE are all saying that there haven’t been any! We are saying that the social media posts that they are doing is insufficient and WE expect them to do more in the positions that they are in!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Y'all are rediculous. You think posting on social media is a sufficient response to these issues? Those words mean absolutely nothing. Too little, too easy, too weak.

Their actions are the only important response.

I think everyone above here would agree with you that their actions are the only important response and WE are all saying that there haven’t been any! We are saying that the social media posts that they are doing is insufficient and WE expect them to do more in the positions that they are in!

Actions are needed, everyone agrees. Allies on Instagram don't mean anything when you know full well all these organizations don't care about any real change.
There's levels to all this though. I applaud people taking the first step, as easy at it may be. I look forward to seeing if any of them use their positions in the community to help or correcting some of their own past mistakes. I can at the same time look at those that stay silent with contempt. Coward, racist, or both, that's the only conclusion I can come to.

[Anonymous]

Another empty gesture that costs nothing but it makes the keyboard SJWs happy.

[Anonymous]

What do you suggest Clubs should say or do?

[Anonymous]

What is it specifically that you think clubs should help accomplish, and how should they do it? Forget about making fun of tweets and other posts. If you don't think raising consciousness is important, exactly what do you think marching is? Would you tell marchers that what they are doing is not important or enough? Fine. But then tell the clubs what you think they should do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you suggest Clubs should say or do?

Perhaps start with saying there is a zero tolerance for racism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you suggest Clubs should say or do?

Zero Tolerance! Perhaps even sending an email to their teams/parents acknowledging that they are aware what is going on in the country and even own backyard and want to support the members of their organization that are affected! 9 days of protests now and my club has only sent out information regarding tryouts and fees!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you suggest Clubs should say or do?

Perhaps start with saying there is a zero tolerance for racism.

Meh, more words. Tell me specifics. Tell me that you have reviewed your SOP for discriminatory practices (in many cases, how about creating an SOP). Tell me that TD's are charged with the responsibility to spot racism and act immediately. Tell me that you will be open and honest about violations and corrective actions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you suggest Clubs should say or do?

Perhaps start with saying there is a zero tolerance for racism.

Meh, more words. Tell me specifics. Tell me that you have reviewed your SOP for discriminatory practices (in many cases, how about creating an SOP). Tell me that TD's are charged with the responsibility to spot racism and act immediately. Tell me that you will be open and honest about violations and corrective actions.

Words are important, followed up with actions. Saying nothing allows people to draw their own conclusions. Hence this thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you suggest Clubs should say or do?

Perhaps start with saying there is a zero tolerance for racism.

Meh, more words. Tell me specifics. Tell me that you have reviewed your SOP for discriminatory practices (in many cases, how about creating an SOP). Tell me that TD's are charged with the responsibility to spot racism and act immediately. Tell me that you will be open and honest about violations and corrective actions.

Words are important, followed up with actions. Saying nothing allows people to draw their own conclusions. Hence this thread!

Our elementary school sent their thoughts and links for resources. I thought that was great.