By Andrew Mitchell

Major: Supply Chain Management
Involvement on Campus: Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Ramblers Alliance for Equity

What does Black History Month mean to you?
There is no America without Black History. Black History Month is important to me because I honor the contributions of my enslaved ancestors who helped build this country from the ground up. We can't have a conversation about American History without integrating the brutal sacrifices and immense contributions of African Americans to this country. 
 
As a black student-athlete, how do you use your platform to advocate for social injustices?
Being a black student-athlete, I was able to use my platform to advocate for social justice within this country. Here at Loyola, we formed the Ramblers Alliance for Equity. My role is on the Education Committee where I provided educational and historical videos, lectures, and podcasts on systemic racism in America. I met with different coaches and heads of the athletic department to share ideas and stories about what direction we want this program to be headed in when dealing with systemic racism. I had the privilege to share personal stories with my teammates and coaches regarding experiences I had growing up black in the south and how that has affected me but also made me who I am today.   

Is there a particular moment or historical event in your lifetime that galvanized you to fight for change? 
Growing up in the South, it was always hard for me to speak out against social injustice and racism. I felt like my voice wouldn't be heard and, frankly, I was too scared to speak up. On May 25, 2020, the country was hit with one of the saddest police brutality deaths (known to the public) in decades. I felt so much anger and sadness and I was upset with myself about how quiet I have been about these major issues. George Floyd's murder empowered millions of Americans to speak up against systemic racism and it made me want to use my platform as a black student-athlete to get the message of social justice and freedom embedded in the minds of all Ramblers, past and present. 
 
Is there anything else you want to add about this topic?
There is a term called the "Imposter syndrome" where minority students feel like they don't belong when they get to a college. Personally, when I first joined the soccer team I was one of two black players and it worried me. I feared that I wouldn't be accepted by my teammates. Luckily, this was not the case and they viewed me as their brother just like I view them.  

Sports can be a powerful and positive force in society, but it becomes a breeding ground for hate in some places. For example, Black soccer players endure abusive, racist treatment from all over the world, but especially from Italian fans. Italian soccer is known around the world as having racist fans, and the leaders of the Italian league seem to not care about what their supporters say to the players. Sports is great for creating a feeling of community and bonding with fellow team supporters. The issue is when fans cross the boundaries of supporting a team, to abusing players. Neil Jones, our former Head Coach came up to me one day and asked for my permission for something, and what he asked me made my jaw drop. He said, "If you or any one of our players ever receive a racial slur during a game from a fan, opponent, or coach, we will forfeit the game that second and the whole team will walk off together." Knowing how much Neil Jones loved winning, he cared more about the harmful impact of racism than he did about winning "a game." This is something I hope coaches (and referees?) can adopt all over the country: put the players first and the game second. Racism is a battle we must all fight together.