Sports
Black athletes don’t even have a level playing field with the anti-DEI movement. That’s white people’s job.

On February 20, 25 white Republican members of the Alabama State Senate introduced themselves SB129a bill to essentially eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public institutions in the state.
The proposed bill not only prohibits any “state agency, local board of education, or public institution of higher education from sponsoring any diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or maintaining any office, physical location, or department” dedicated to DEI or similar “divisive concepts,” it gives also gives agencies the power to “discipline or discharge” employers and contractors who violate the law. While the proposal allows for personal funding, it prohibits students, faculty and staff at public higher education institutions in Alabama from applying for personal or federal funding that supports diversity, equity and inclusion.
Alabama’s caucaity legislative act reflects enacted laws Arizona, Kentucky, Oklahomaand a minimum of 21 other states. On March 1, the University of Florida complied with the governor’s executive order. Ron DeSantis Law Pausing funding for diversity spending by terminating all DEI-related positions. UF’s decision drew a sharp rebuke from Gator football legend Emmitt Smith, who issued a statement regarding Twitter suggesting that college athletes use their platform to talk out. More importantly, Smith felt no have to let white people off the hook.
“We cannot continue to trust that a leadership team of the same background will make the right decision when it comes to equality and diversity,” he added. Smith wrote on Twitter. “To the MANY minority athletes at UF, please be aware of this University decision that, without any oversight, closes the door to other minorities and speaks out about it. And for those who think it’s not your problem and stay on the sidelines and say nothing, you are complicit in supporting systemic problems.”
Translation: You have to be crazy in the event you think white people will ever use their power to dismantle racist systems built by white people. And white individuals who do nothing, I blame you all too.
Smith wasn’t the only distinguished figure to specific displeasure with the right-wing attack on diversity, equality and inclusion. In a series of tweets, Birmingham, Alabama, Mayor Randall Woodfin, who leads certainly one of the U.S The blackest citieshe said he had “no problem with providing classes for black parents and athletes at other out-of-state institutions.”
It’s also about a strong-arm robbery.
Woodfin notes that taxpayers wa 27% Black the state foots the bill for giant, mostly white public universities like the University of Alabama (11% Black) and Auburn University (4.5% black). But Woodfin didn’t put the onus entirely on black athletes to dismantle institutional whiteness. While the state’s recent anti-DEI proposal will likely exacerbate this systemic theft, the two-term mayor notes that coaches, fans and lawmakers don’t appear to have a problem with DEI after they literally parachute into a school district that’s 99% non-white recruit athletes who will add to the ongoing generational wealth generators fueled by black taxpayers and student-athletes.
“These athletic directors, coaches and representatives of these flagship programs will actively come to Birmingham, land a helicopter on the high school campus, sit down at Big Mom’s house and say, ‘We want your child to come to our school to play football,’” basketball,” Woodfin said. “At the very same time, in the same breath, the same institutions are saying, ‘We’re not going to support programs that support you offline or off the basketball court. Or consciously support diverse faculty and staff and professors. We’re going to make it illegal.
“My disappointment stems from the fact that chancellors and presidents have not said anything,” he added. “The coaches and sports directors didn’t say anything. Don’t tell me you want these Black people on your sports fields and basketball courts, but you won’t support them anywhere else on campus. Why should they come? Why should they play for you?”
In addition to using his “bully bully pulpit to call out any form of injustice or any immoral law at all times,” the two-term mayor is encouraging athletes, parents, community members, Black student unions and other student organizations to arrange against SB129. ON Wednesdayover 100 alabama college students from across the state gathered at the statehouse to challenge lawmakers. More than 5,000 interested parties signed the act Petition protect diversity, equity and inclusion in the country. And if all else fails, Woodfin desires to hit them in the pocket.
In 2020, after serving on the Birmingham Department of Youth Services, the district’s Economic Opportunity Commission and as president of the Birmingham City Schools board, Woodfin formed The Birmingham Promise, which provides scholarships, financial aid and academic support to any Birmingham City Schools graduate who desires to attend a two- or four-year college in the state. The initiative has provided greater than $5 million in tuition assistance through 2023, including thousands and thousands in donations from corporate sponsors and individuals who have pledged to support causes similar to diversity, equity and inclusion in the wake of the George Floyd rebellion in 2020, Woodfin wondered what would occur if leaders used their influence and connections to steer corporate donors to present dollars to programs like the Birmingham Promise moderately than to institutions that espouse divisive white supremacist ideas.
Featured Stories
“I can literally go to public and corporate leaders in Birmingham and say, ‘What are you doing to support diversity?’ What are you doing to support equality? What are you doing to support social inclusion?” Woodfin said. “What are you doing in the private sector to offset this? As a leader, I can remind them of what they have voluntarily committed to. We cannot allow them to hide behind…state laws that prohibit the use of public tax dollars to support DEI. These are conversations I can have.”
While Birmingham advantages from the state The $200 Million College Football Economythe Morehouse alum reiterated that he has no problem organizing an effort to discourage athletes from attending these historically anti-black colleges. Like Smith, Woodfin believes that athlete influence mustn’t be the only line of defense against white Republican power plays.
In Kentucky, senators pressed repeatedly bills banning schools “expenditure of any resources or funds for diversity equality, inclusion and belonging or political or social activism.” A University of Louisville professor working at the intersection of DEI and sports noted that – because of the competitive nature of faculty sports – athletic departments at predominantly white institutions will feel the impact of those regressive initiatives even if Black student-athletes do nothing.
“College athletes were celebrated for following the rules and not exploiting their individual power,” said a Louisville instructor who spoke anonymously to guard their employment. “But what about companies using name, image and likeness agreements to sell products? Why should local corporations and supporters who support these legislators get a pass?”
Far-right wingers in Alabama may have inadvertently banned college sports.
Most universities have a compliance office to avoid violating regulations governing college athletics. According to NCAA Division I Athletic Regulations, each lively institution must “conduct an equity, diversity and inclusion review at least every four years and provide written confirmation of completion to the national office.” By declaring that students, employees, and contractors are prohibited from “participating in or participating in any diversity, equity, and inclusion program or in any training, orientation, or course,” Alabama’s recent Jim Crow quasi-decree apparently could make the completion of this The NCAA will change into an illegal requirement. In fact, the law would prohibit public universities from “sponsoring… or maintaining(maintaining) any office, physical location, or department that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion,” essentially defunding six officials inside Auburn compliance department. Anyway, using state, federal and NCAA funds to attain mission “encouraging diversity and equal treatment of all” – the entire compliance office can be illegal under the recent Alabama law.
Because the law doesn’t allow schools to “authorize or disburse funds, apply for or accept grant, federal or private funding” for these “divisive concepts,” Alabama colleges may not find a way to compete for 26 NCAA $10,000 scholarships dedicated to “ethnic minorities and women”. Does Alabama’s law conflict with Title IX law, which “prohibits schools receiving federal funds from discriminating on the basis of sex in their programs or activities?” Will administrators and coaches at Alabama’s seven Division II schools be fired in the event that they file a lawsuit? NCAA Diversity Grants?
“If I were a student or professor at the University of Alabama, I would be running towards the transfer portal,” commented a University of Louisville faculty member. “Ultimately, students will choose universities where they feel safe and supported. Black athletes are no different. Eventually, these universities will begin to lose professors, coaches, players and staff to universities that do not prohibit being black. Laws have consequences and this will all come down eventually. The numbers don’t lie.”
When asked if HBCUs stand to learn from this exodus, the Auburn insider noted that 52 of the 101 HBCUs are public institutions, which suggests they’re subject to the same discriminatory regulations. “Don’t forget – even though large colleges are majority white, they are not white-owned,” the Auburn insider added. “They belong to
“There is no bigger Bama fan than me,” Woodfin added. “But I am also a fan and we cannot afford to remain silent.”
You too, white people.
Michael Harriot is a author, cultural critic and master-level Spades player. His book Black AF History: The Unwhitewashed Story of America will likely be published in September.
Sports
Jalen Milroe can follow the Jalen path in NFL

Star Black playmakers aren’t any longer an exception – they’re the rule. Throughout the entire football season, this series will discover the importance and influence of black QB from bottom -up to NFL.
Indianapolis-keep me, should you heard it earlier: playmaker Alabama born in Texas, who’s a stronger runner than a passerby, will probably be called outside the first round of the NFL Draft.
The playmaker was undefeated in Sec as a primary -year starter.
The playmaker never played for the same offensive coordinator.
The name of the playmaker is even Jalen.
But it isn’t clear that Jalen hurts. This winter he was busy winning the Super Bowl MVP, and he didn’t play Iron Bowl or against Michigan.
Instead, it’s a former playmaker of Crimson Tide Jalen Milroewho last week Combine Combine tried to convey the case to the trainers and evaluators that he – like his namesake – is price being their playmaker franchise in the future despite questions on his ability.
“I went through adversity. I saw everything as a quarterback, “Milroe said on Friday. “I played at the most difficult conference in the country. It would be easier to play at other conferences, but what I could see in Sec catapulted me that I was ready to play NFL. “
Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Departing from Katy in Texas, she originally got involved in Texas in 2019, but a 12 months later she fell to Alabama. After he was sitting behind the Crimson Tide Starter Bryung for 2 seasons, Milroe took his reins in the 2023 season. He helped Alabama survive Sec (8-0) this 12 months, won by the conference rival and two-time defender Georgia in the SEC championship, which caused Crimson Tide to the play-off collection.
But while Milroe had a big arm (his 10 yards for the test took third place in Sec in 2023), the pass was not his strong suit. For two seasons as a starter Milroe never achieved 3000 yards in one season, the first starter of Alabama, who did it because it … hurts.
Hurts, from Houston, led Crimson Tide to the National National Championships in 2016–17, but during these two seasons were lower than 5,000 yards. While Hurts was a singular Rusher (1,809 yards and 21 sticks) at the moment, his weakness as a passerby is known for led to the spare Tua Tavailoa during the break of the national championships in 2017.
In the mix, Milroe decided that despite his pedestrian passes, he was still worthy of being a start at NFL.
He is aware of his weaknesses and swore that he worked in the ass to enhance outside being “one dimension.” He could move when his legendary trainer, Nick Saban, retired after the 2023 season, but decided to not fall off. He traveled six miles a day to ensure that that something was left in the fourth quarter in the fourth quarter. He studied progression and reads after I-SNAP to lift his IQ in football.
Unlike the forecast sorts of the first round, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, Milroe threw a mix on Saturday, hoping that he would show the bands that he has mechanics to do that to the playmaker NFL. It turned out to be a mixed bag. Milroe showed strong arm strength and a very good location of sail routes, curls and it while throwing exercises, but fought accuracy on intermediate and on the routes.
“That’s so many things that I can learn more where I am today and where I will be when it comes to day 1, starting with NFL,” said Milroe before Saturday exercises. “Always be a game student, at all times attempt to develop, because it would be so many opportunities in which I can look back and say that it was the moment after I grew up as a playmaker.
“That’s right now, I’m just trying to grow as much as possible, put my best foot forward and just look for development.”
Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images
Milroe was asked that he was one other playmaker in Alabama to succeed in the mix, following in the footsteps of the role (who moved to Oklahoma in 2019), Tavailoa, Mac Jones and Bryce Young. Milroe said he appreciates being in the company of others, but he added that it’s difficult to check him with others.
“We had different bands, we had different players around us, we had a different system,” he said.
But when he specifically asked what he could study the journey of Hurts-from the first manager of the game after the super Bowl-Milroe master said he inspired him his companion Alabam.
“The most important thing I learned from J. Hurts is how he kept his head (I) always continued to work,” said Milroe. “He at all times raised his game, he has never been self -deserved, and all the pieces you see is great progress from him.
“And I have to applaud him as a person, he as a man, because he is definitely inspiring for many playmakers of my image, as well as many playmakers throughout the country. He leads to all of us. “
The couple isn’t completely similar. Hurts had about 20 kilos on Milroe when he was in college. Milroe has a stronger arm, while Hurts played more and not using a mistake of football: Milroe threw 17 interceptions and ate 67 bags for 2 seasons as a starter in comparison with 10 captures Hurts and 43 bags.
But they can each be changing the game when their teams need them. In a highly publicized match against Georgia at the starting of the last season, Milroe finished almost 82% of his passes on 374 yards and two appointments, adding 117 yards to the ground for the next two results.
Milroe can also match the wounds in the so -called “Jalen-ISMS. “
“Climbing upstairs is not easy, but when you reach the top of this mountain, you will learn so many things when it comes to adversity when it comes to difficulties, things along the way,” said Milroe in a mix.
Sports
Like Tommie Smith and John Carlos from 1968. Black Power Salute inspired me to find my goal

I’d say that I grew up within the household to be sure that that me and my siblings were aware of the black history. My parents invested in the gathering of black encyclopedias. On the duvet we had a version of the Bible with Black Jesus. Our house was stuffed with books of black novelists and thinkers, and if a black document appeared, we watched it. I watched all movies made on television about Dr. King, each “Roots” and “Alex Haley’s Queen” and I sat for all 14 hours “Eyes on the reward”-as a toddler. Bless my heart.
Having said this, there have been pockets of black history, and more likely that I had no opportunity to delve into once I was a toddler. The college was where all the will for information and understanding of the combined. I attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., One of a very powerful historically black universities within the country. It was there that I met people from around the globe whose knowledge about black history differed (often depending on the colleges and the communities by which we lived), but everyone had hunger to learn more.
One day, through the first yr, I remember one among my friends in a T -shirt by which I had definitely seen before, but I never paid attention to. There was a black and white screen printing on the shirt (what I do know now) the enduring moment on the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968, where on the rostrum for 200-meter medals, Tommie Smith, John Carlos (races 1. And 3. Place Finaners) Everyone gathered a black fist in gloves while he played “Star Spangled Banner”. Peter Norman, the second place from Australia, wore a human rights badge, like Smith and Carlos.
Not only did they raise the fist of black power (although they each said it was for human rights), they received medals in black socks to represent poverty within the black community, and Smith wore a black scarf for black pride. Carlos showed solidarity with blue-wheeled employees, unpacking the jacket and wore a necklace from the beads for individuals who were lynched. Due to the state of Black America in 1968 and a continuing struggle for equality and civil rights, there have been calls to a boycott of the Games. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was also killed in April this yr – and all three athletes were inspired enough to find a way to do it on the rostrum, which led to one of the crucial durable images of public protest.
I remember how I learned history and realized that on the most important scene these brave men used their moment of triumph and victory to quietly protest against the conditions of underrated communities in America. I felt strengthened; We often discuss standing on the arms of giants, however the more I got into the history of black in America, the more I spotted what number of giants there have been. In college I used to be very bad and for a while ready to burn every part that represented the establishment or any obstacle to black liberation. I felt like all those individuals who even saw their space on the planet in reference to individuals who could never give you the option to speak as heroes whose lives were to be modeled later. Especially since it was also fastidiously that putting people in front of him can often bring an enormous personal loss.
When Smith and Carlos took their position, they were booed on the stadium and ordered to be sent home by the International Olympic Committee. The athletes returned home, but they weren’t welcomed by the hero, but as a substitute of rough sleds, and even in some cases the specter of death. They were also not beloved by athletes. Two men, associated eternally in history, even have a good relationship –Carlos even claims that he let Smith go within the race Because “Tommie Smith would never put his fist in the sky if I won this race,” the claim that Smith denies.
History ultimately has a way of rights, but it surely took a few years and realizations on the front of social policy, in order that the actions of those persons are perceived as brave and needed, not only selfish and smug.
The lessons that I learned from College and continuous reading and education I gained (my head remained within the book about black history) were one among the best advantages in HBCU. The very variety of books I learned about about which I actually have never heard of – I actually have upheld me all my life.
That is why I remember sooner or later I used to be walking around Washington, the eastern Washington market and a street seller was selling different photos of moments in black history, and he had a 40 -inch photo within the Tommie Smith and John Carlos frame. I paid for it in money and spent it across the capital of the country until I returned home. I do know that it happened in 2005 (I finished Morehouse College in 2001) because I just moved to my first apartment with no roommate and it was the very first thing that I actually have ever suspended on the wall. This picture within the frame still hangs on the wall in my home in 2025 and I used it to teach my children about sacrifice and privilege and how you may have to discuss individuals who cannot.

The query that my youngest children often ask: “How do I know who can’t speak for herself?” Which is an incredible query. For this I answered an easy fact, pointing to the photo:
“These men have made a gesture that gave people whose most of us, including them, would never see or never know them, but on which life negatively affects the alternatives of the wealthy and the federal government. Sometimes you may have to take this chance to say something because you do not know in the event you’ll ever have such a big platform.
Son, there may be at all times someone who cannot speak for himself, and you may have to use it in a voice, because perhaps the thing you say or a stand that can help someone you understand, live a greater life. ”
I take advantage of words that may understand a little bit higher, but I can inform you that my children have a look at this photo on a regular basis, and once one among my sons said: “These guys are heroes, right?”
I say yes, they’re. They are the heroes of the Black History.
They will live eternally for speaking, and even quietly, in solidarity with those that couldn’t.

(Tagstranslate) @Ap
Sports
Main Treasury Official Morgan State University, Sterling Steward, died

Morgan State University announced that his older associate athletics director and tax director, Sterling Steward, died.
No reason for death was disclosed, but the college has confirmed his contribution since he was employed in December 2022.
Morgan State University Athletics mourns Sterling Steward’s departure https://t.co/avjzilxhja
– Grizzly Life (@grizzlylife22) February 26, 2025
Steward died on February 26. In Morgan State he was accountable for the event of university programs, supporting partnerships and strengthening the financial and operational success of the Faculty.
“Sterling was more than a colleague-he was a respected leader, mentor and friend,” said in a written statement by Den Freeman-Patton, vice chairman and director of inter-university athletes. “His passion for athletics and commitment to raising Morgan programs were visible in everything he did. He worked tirelessly to ensure that our sports students had resources and the possibilities of distinction, and its impact will be felt for many years. We expand our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, especially his three sons and sister when we mourn this huge loss. “
While the steward worked in Morgan, strategic growth and cooperation occurred. His work with the institutional development department helped to offer more opportunities and created lasting relationships to support sports programs.
Steward earlier he worked At the University of New Orleans (UNO) as an assistant to the college athletics director for strategic income generation. He also made stays on the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Savannah State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Alabama State University, Kentucky State University, Eastern Oregon University and Xavier University in various roles, including for a senior consultant athletics director and sports director.
He was from New Orleans, who received the title of bachelor and master’s degree on the University of Southern Mississippi. He won a bachelor’s degree in the sphere of coaching and administration/history of sport and his master’s degree in the sphere of sport management.
(Tagstransate) Morgan State Universiry
-
Press Release11 months ago
CEO of 360WiSE Launches Mentorship Program in Overtown Miami FL
-
Press Release11 months ago
U.S.-Africa Chamber of Commerce Appoints Robert Alexander of 360WiseMedia as Board Director
-
Business and Finance9 months ago
The Importance of Owning Your Distribution Media Platform
-
Business and Finance11 months ago
360Wise Media and McDonald’s NY Tri-State Owner Operators Celebrate Success of “Faces of Black History” Campaign with Over 2 Million Event Visits
-
Ben Crump11 months ago
Another lawsuit accuses Google of bias against Black minority employees
-
Theater11 months ago
Telling the story of the Apollo Theater
-
Ben Crump12 months ago
Henrietta Lacks’ family members reach an agreement after her cells undergo advanced medical tests
-
Ben Crump12 months ago
The families of George Floyd and Daunte Wright hold an emotional press conference in Minneapolis
-
Theater11 months ago
Applications open for the 2020-2021 Soul Producing National Black Theater residency – Black Theater Matters
-
Theater9 months ago
Cultural icon Apollo Theater sets new goals on the occasion of its 85th anniversary