NOTE: The death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer on May 25 has produced protests around the nation and around the world. The dialogue that ensued and continues has already brought change in just a few short weeks. The historic ramifications of this moment in time won't be known for years to come, but things are changing. We have reached out to current and former Bard College student-athletes to get their thoughts on the subject. We'll continue to add responses as they come in.

Zack Jacobs '21

It is my duty to help those who have not had the same privileges as I have. I am committed to educating myself on people's experiences, perspectives, and the history of systemic racism in America.

I will continue to devote my time to educate, empower and inspire people about this issue, using my voice and my platform as a vehicle for change. I'm passionate about supporting Black Lives Matter and will focus on creating racial equality and equal opportunities for all black lives.

Although I don't know what it is like to be a black person in America, I will be an advocate and ally for Black Lives Matter.

Joshua Han '21

Racism will always exist among us. It is our duty, as educated and privileged people, to educate the uneducated about the severity of this forever-existing issue.

 As a person of color, I know there will be uncomfortable situations, but I will never do harm because I know it will worsen the situation.

It is my responsibility to use my privilege to bring much infinitesimal change that will slowly but surely bring a big change in the future.
 

Angel Obergh '23

During my very first college game at Bard, I thought I had accomplished everything I have ever wanted to do as an athlete. I worked hard to be where I was standing that day. I looked around and took in the moment, it was one I never wanted to forget. It was a very special moment for me. To hear my name, the hometown where I was born, and my grade. I was a young successful Afro-Dominican playing for the volleyball team. That marked the beginning of my journey as a Raptor player. Was that everything I wanted to be? Yes!

However, these last days I have realized I want to be so much more than that.

I want to stand up as a player who recognizes the enduring pain our dark skin brings. I want everyone to acknowledge that. I want people to see my skin and know that a black man is accomplishing his dreams. I want to motivate my fellow brothers and sisters to know they can as well. I want to stand up, hear my name, the hometown I was born, my grade, but most importantly, I want everyone to notice me. Not to be the center of attention, but to be the light that brings hope to people like me who have been severely punished for years now. If I have to take a knee my entire season, I will do it.

I never thought that as an athlete, I could do something about police brutality or racism. I personally thought, 'What good would taking a knee do?' I realize it now. It means respect. It means that even when my mouth and hands are tight up, I can still speak louder than my own voice.

I think many athletes push themselves to be better because they want to be the greatest, or to be acknowledged. I do, too. I want to be known for being a great player. However, I think I now seek something bigger. I want to be known as an athlete of color who is overcoming the difficulties our skin color brings. I want to say, 'Yes I did it, so can you!' And perhaps being a successful black athlete will not be so huge for some people. But for me, it will mean everything.

Jack Loud '23

Like many across the country and the world, I've felt outraged reading about black men and women being shot on camera by police, and still no justice being served to those who are supposed to be protecting the community.

I have also felt anger for those who refuse to recognize their privilege and acknowledge that this country was built on systemic racism that is very much alive today. As a white male, I have tried to be an ally to the black community, but I still have learned a lot in the past month. I have become even more aware and educated about the privilege I have, and have learned to acknowledge it and use it to help those who aren't in the same position of privilege as I am.

I have hope that because of these protests, more people will follow this path and become more educated about the racism that has plagued our country. I also hope that this will lead to radical reforms of police (and perhaps eventually the abolition of police entirely).

I believe America needs to turn away from people with guns and more towards self-care and education, the lack of each being the source of crime and other problems in America. By trending towards these important ideals we can tackle problems at the source, instead of when they arise, which can result in violence and incarceration, helping no one.

I believe that America still has a very long way to go in terms of eradicating systemic racism, but as I attend protests in my small community and see the effects other protests have had around the country, I think we're off to a good start, but we can't stop now. 

Colin Schroeder '21

Colin attended a Black Lives Matter protest in Floral Park, N.Y., on June 5, then wrote this. Five days later he attended another protest in Port Jefferson, N.Y.

I had goosebumps from start to finish. There was nervousness, excitement, pride and gratefulness. I was not afraid. I understand that I will never truly understand, but I will listen, learn, and take action against racial injustice.

Everyone who spoke was given everyone's undivided attention and had a powerful message to deliver. Some preached peace and love, while others preached action, but all preached equality and change.

My actions will continue to support this change. I will make phone calls, I will educate myself, I will vote and I WILL NOT BE SILENT.

Nine minutes. The approximate amount of time it took George Floyd to stop breathing. His last moments on this Earth were spent with a brutal police officer's knee on his neck. We took a knee for nine minutes ourselves and I couldn't get comfortable in a single spot for the whole nine minutes. I had a choice about how I was positioned, but George Floyd didn't have a choice. He was literally pinned down and suffocated, but the same has been true for black people in America for hundreds of years.

What I have seen this week through social media and live in person today is that we can't let those who don't have the security provided by white privilege be suffocated by our broken and racist systems. Change should have already happened, but it has not come.

There shall no longer be delays, because the world today is no longer the world I want to live in. I still live in it because I must fight for those who are gone.
 

Sovereign Strickland '24

To me the BLM movement and intersectionality of women shows how little we've truly accomplished in terms of upholding the goals for this country, which have been declared and constituted by many, and followed through by few. Call me pessimistic, but the glass has always been half empty for people who look like me.









 

The Dinkins Sisters '24

(JADE) Black Lives Matter is a movement that may span my entire lifetime, it will most likely last even more than that. And although my heart breaks having to say those three words as frequently as I do, I still do it. I do it because despite the fact that I am fighting for my very own existence and that most days it hurts to keep going, I'm also doing it for the future of my people. My pain pales in comparison to the pain we have collectively endured throughout the course of history, and I will work endlessly just to be able to fathom a future where little black boys and girls can view their own bright futures with confidence, rather than seeing their people brutalized and oppressed in the media everyday.

(DESIRЀE) BLM means to me fighting for my existence, which is sad to say. But black women are torn down everyday in this country.  Being a person of mixed race,  I'm aware of the lightskin privilege I have. Therefore, I continue to uplift and stand for the black community.  I choose to continue to loosen the chains around me until I and others are free.

Christina Kiser '22

I understand that I will never understand. Being a privileged white woman, there are a plethora of injustices that I will never have to face, including the systematic racism within the U.S. health care system. One of the most evident examples of this systematic racism can be seen in the gap between the maternal mortality rates between African- American women and white women. As of 2014, African-American women are three times more likely to die from maternal complications than white women.
This disparity is not a result of medical risk or socioeconomic status, it is a result of racism within the health care system. In the midst of Supreme Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg's death, it is a terrifying time to be a woman in America. Now imagine that fear when you are a woman of color or more specially, a pregnant woman of color. I do not know that fear, but I know it is all of responsibility to end this injustice.

Jess Rylander '22

To me, the Black Lives Matter movement signifies an opportunity to unite in support of the people of color around me. It means acknowledging privilege and holding myself and those around me accountable to create change.

It means a responsibility to shine a light on these problems, and when others shy away from them, emphasizing the need for immediate change to be a non-negotiable.

Olivia Couture '22

To me the Black Lives Matter movement means equality of all races and sexes. It means that each human is treated with their deserved respect, and given the same opportunities.

The Black Lives Matter movement has shown me what needs to change in our community and in our country. There is no world in which all people shouldn't be equal. It is a time to stand up and support those around us who have been victims of unequal treatment.
It's time to change the narrative and make a real change in our community.

Marissa Munsell '23

To me, the Black Lives Matter movement means supporting people of color throughout my community and in all aspects of my life.  This movement has allowed me to look at my own life and see what more I need to do in order to support the injustices that are occurring across America and throughout the world.

I have been further able to understand my privilege and learn ways I am able to make a difference.

Katie Esposito '21

As campus leaders and student-athletes, including myself, we have roles of ensuring that we are continuously supporting the BLM movement and taking necessary steps to be effective allies in the movement.

Doing this includes regularly educating ourselves, educating one another, addressing and speaking out against racial injustices, being there for our black community, and trying our best to address racial inequalities when we see it, amongst many other steps that are needed to properly dismantle our racist system.|

I hope that our community at Bard, beyond our athletes, can hold each other accountable to support our black community, call out injustice, and work towards a fair system.