West Charlotte basketball team reminds us why we can’t ‘move on’ from race
Yesterday, you published an article titled “Ardrey Kell player reminds us why we can’t just ‘move on’ from race. Like all other instances where an offender delivers an offense, a bright spotlight has been shone on this player and his use of a racial slur as if we are to learn from this. Oftentimes, as in this situation, the recipient of the offense is overshadowed and hardly mentioned. In this case, I’d like to suggest a renaming of the article to “West Charlotte basketball team reminds us why we can’t just ‘move on’ from race” and offer this commentary instead.
They reminded us that day in and day out, young black men are subjected to ridicule and harsh offense by those who see them as ‘inferior’ or ‘invisible.’ Yet, they stand tall and move on.
They reminded us that they constantly perform admirable actions, yet get overshadowed by those individuals who ‘are good kids’ and just ‘made a mistake.’ Yet, they stand tall and move on.
They reminded us that time and time again, they are blamed for the actions of others and automatically assumed guilty because of the color of their skin. Yet, they stand tall and move on.
They reminded us that in more ways than one, this school district and city has failed them at times. Yet, they stand tall and move on.
They reminded us that their hard work can be discredited because of baseless stereotypes and prejudices thrown their way. Yet, they stand tall and move on.
They reminded us that there are some people in this city who will only see them as ‘black boys’ and nothing more. Yet, they stand tall and move on.
They reminded us that those who don’t look like them can be easily forgiven and receive second chances while they are sometimes not even given a second thought. Yet, they stand tall and move on.
They remind us that this district is ridiculed with inequities that persist because of boundary lines and politics. Yet, they stand tall and move on.
And despite all this, these young men have shown courage and bravery that has rarely been mentioned because those are usually words that are not associated with young men who look like them. These young men remind us why we can’t ‘move on’ from race — it is not because of racial slurs that are thrown around with little regard, followed by obligatory apologies and iterations that ‘those words do not represent who we are’ or ‘those words are not in line with our values’ because the reality is, they are in some sense or another. Until we all become more comfortable and engage in dialogue with others who don’t look like us, there will always be a division amongst the color lines. An ‘us vs. them.’ An ‘inferior’ vs. ‘superior’ mentality. Instead of apologies, talk to these young men and others. Bridge the gap and break the stereotypes. But please, recognize these and other young men of color who are definitely not the ‘underdogs’ in this scenario. They are champions — young kings and quite frankly, we could all stand to learn a thing or two from them.
-Merisha Leak
Proud West Charlotte High School Educator
