Now that Black History Month is over and March has begun, we have the privilege of celebrating another important month in the calendar year: Women’s History Month.
What was once Women’s Day, expanded into a week of celebration, then a full month, into decades of celebration.
With roots dating back to 1857, when women protested poor working conditions in New York City’s factories, this month has had an opportunity to highlight the many achievements of women. And for shedding light on how women’s achievements will continue to inspire generations to come.
One particular group of women who have always been at the forefront of inspirational movements and always will be are black women. The same is the case in the sports world.
i am belly analyzer, a sports reporter for USA Today. Welcome to this week’s “This Is America” newsletter focused on race and identity and how they shape our lives.
But first, the news of race and justice we see
forgotten hero
Long before Colin Kaepernick took a knee and John Carlos and Tommy Smith raised their fists on the Olympic podium, there were Althea Gibson, Arlene Brown and Wymyah Tyce.
These women were “firsts” in their sport, which is often a form of activism in itself.
While their stories are less visible, their impact on sport, gender equality and racial advancement proves to be a striking example of how black women are ahead in athletics today.
Background: Black women are leaders in sports because they always have been… and always will be
When I think of women’s history, I think of track and field star Aerosena Robinson, who made activism an important part of her life in the 1950s. She was a prominent figure in varying oppositions as well as a skilled high-jumper.
In 1959, at the Pan-American Games in Chicago, Robinson sat down while playing the national anthem—57 years before Colin Kaepernick. About six months later, Robinson was arrested for tax evasion, sharing with Jet magazine that he refused to pay taxes because of the foreign policies of the United States.
From declining offers to compete in international competition during the Cold War, to launching hunger strikes during captivity, Robinson paved the way for black women and athletes to become activism in their industry.
Today’s Impact
Big stars like Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles – who are at their best at their game – are the warriors of today.
Osaka has tirelessly shown us the importance of standing up for ourselves as well as others. Concerning the names of victims of racial bias and police brutality on his face masks at the 2020 US Open, Osaka was very deliberate about how to use his platform to start a conversation that would lead to change.
One of his most important conversations was about mental health.
At last year’s French Open, Osaka announced she would not speak to the media during the tournament to protect her mental health, later withdrawing from the tournament altogether.
Osaka also did not participate in Wimbledon. Between monetary fines and public scrutiny, Osaka’s openness to revealing her personal struggles with mental health, anxiety and depression proved to be the conversation needed to see the world of tennis and the sport in general.
Osaka wasn’t the only one protecting her mental health. Biles withdrew from four individual finals at the Tokyo Olympics last year, citing mental health concerns after suffering “twists”. She also later revealed that she was processing her aunt’s death.
When Osaka and Biles were at the top of their game, it was decided that it was more important to look after their mental health than succumb to the unrealistic pressures of performing perfectly all the time, which allowed women – especially black women – to do so. allowed to believe. It’s okay not to actually be okay.
‘I’m just proud to be black’
I had the opportunity to speak with Maia Hooten of the University of Minnesota—a gymnast who made history by becoming the first athlete in January. monkey To score a perfect 10 on the Women’s Gymnastics History floor.
We discussed what black femininity means to us in today’s society and how Hooten’s floor routines had choreography with strategic symbolism throughout, which was based on music. Beyoncé “Homecoming” performance.
“In the routine, I’m breaking chains and then I rise off the floor and I’m free. Then I reach the ground and punch (imaginary) people,” he said. “I walked over and I hit my chest and grabbed a fist because I’m proud to be Black.”
Hooten and her coach discussed the symbols they wanted to incorporate into the correct scoring floor routine to convey Hooten’s spirit as a black woman.
“It honestly means the world,” Hooten said of her routine that quickly went viral on the Internet after both her and teammate Ona Looper scored perfectly in the same match.
“And to share that moment with Ona who got 10, it’s just a special moment and also knowing that my routine was so powerful. I just want to change what people think. … It’s nice to know that my message is getting out there and people are paying attention to what I’m trying to convey.”
Women Heroes of Tomorrow and Now
When four-time WNBA champion Maya Moore put her career on hold in 2019 to focus on ministry work, reforming the criminal justice system and the specific case of Jonathan Irons, who was sentenced to 50 years in prison in 1998 at the age of 18 The sentence was handed down. On charges of burglary and assault, she highlighted the mass incarceration of black men.
When four-time WNBA champion Simone Augustus announced that she was a lesbian, she took a stand against a ballot that could ban gay marriage in Minnesota, following gay rights talks and discriminatory state legislation for the LGBTQ community. Can light up history.
When Kelly Loeffler, a former member of the US Senate and former co-owner of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, said the Black Lives Matter movement threatened to “destroy” the country – in direct opposition to everything the Dream and its players do around the league. Speaking Stand For – the team took action to push for voting within Georgia, publicly supporting Loeffler’s rival and calling for Loeffler’s removal as a co-owner.
These are just a few examples in a history full of activism. These are the black female heroes of yesterday and now.
I am proud to be a woman, but most importantly, a black woman. And these acts of influence and inspiration among my community, big and small, give me hope for the future.
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