Social media has been buzzing with the news of students protesting because of racism that occurs at the University of Missouri. There are so many angles to this story and I’m choosing the biggest angle of them all. Sports. I’m taking it back to elementary school with the five W’s and sometimes How formula to simplify the events.
WHO: Jonathan Butler – He went on a hunger strike to bring attention to the racism occurring at the University of Missouri.
Concerned Student 1950 – an organization on campus that gets its name from when the institution began accepting black students.
Missouri Tigers – The University football team that joined in the protest.
Timothy Wolfe – President of the University of Missouri System who was asked to step down due to neglecting to tackle the racial problems on campus.
WHAT: Students have been complaining for months about racial slurs being said at them. Also, during the school’s homecoming protestors blocked Wolfe’s car where he ignored them and they were moved by police. Tired of not being acknowledged Butler begins his hunger strike. Students begin to sleep in tents on campus and the football team joins to support the movement as well.
WHEN: The homecoming parade incident occurred on October 10th, Students began sleeping in tents on November 2nd, the hunger strike began on November 6th, November 8th it becomes a real story when the Missouri Tigers release the following statement, Wolfe steps down and hunger strike ends on November 9th. Chuck Henson (a black man) is hired as interim Vice Chancellor for inclusion, Diversity and Equality.
“(We) Will no longer participate in any football related activities until President Tim Wolf resigns or is removed due to his negligence toward marginalized students’ experiences.”
WHERE: The University of Missouri Campus
WHY: To integrate a racial- awareness program, for more black faculty and staff to be hired, and receive an apology from Wolfe.
Chuck Henson – Interm Vice Chancellor for Inclusion, Diversity and Equality
HOW: The coming together of the youth accomplished this goal. But it was the power of the Missouri Tigers and money that got the job done. This is a testament of how sports transcends X’s and O’s and can make an impact on this world. This is why sports are so crucial however, it’s the money behind them that really did the talking. Did you know that if the team did not play their upcoming game against Brigham Young University at Arrowhead Stadium (home of the NFL Kansas City Chiefs) the university would have lost more than $1 million? At the end of the day money talks and that’s why the story played out the way that it did. A hunger strike or students feeling unsafe at school is not enough for people in power to make changes. This is just a battle won in the current war of racism.
-It Is I Dèsirè
DESIRED SCOOP 