USC women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley is realizing that her preference for some of South Carolina’s citizens and some USC alumni does not go beyond the basketball court.
The NCAA championship coach dropped a #BLM hashtag while thanking an ally for supporting social justice and racial equality and the good conservative right-wing Christians in Confederate South Carolina lost their marbles.
Dan, thank you for being with us in this fight for social justice. You will have some reaction, but follow your heart, this is your truth. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/tGCX7k5rL9
– dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) August 29, 2020
The reaction of old whites who condemn the Black Lives Matter movement as nothing more than a communist conspiracy to destroy their precious oppressive American lifestyle came quickly and furiously. Some of those USC boosters probably spit out their soup when they saw Coach Staley’s party power play going on Twitter.
His powerful words in the Player stand in June – a call for change and an appeal to blacks to go out and vote – it was too much for some of the former white South Carolinians to tolerate.
Staley offered personal reflections on the impact of racism, the use of force by the police and protests after the death of Minnesota man George Floyd.
Staley also used social media to denounce “deeply rooted racism” and applaud the University of Minnesota for severing relations with the Minneapolis Police Department, after one of its officers knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes while saying repeatedly unable to breathe.
“If you’re upset, I say to keep that anger going. Let that supply you at the polls in November. Let that lead you to register to vote.
That’s where our power is. “@GamecockWBB head coach @dawnstaley is asking for change. https://t.co/NDgC64o7sb
– The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) August 29, 2020
They also had to inform the coach that “All Lives Matter”.
In recent years, the South Carolina women’s basketball coach has become increasingly open on issues of racial justice.
Dawn, all lives are important, including black lives, but the organization known as #BlackLivesMatter it is nothing more than a label on an organization determined to lead this country to communism.
If a respected leader like you knows this, but still supports you, we are in a bad position.– Dan the Deplorable (@ DanN21078) August 29, 2020
She recently expressed support for the protests of professional players who rocked the sports world in response to the Jacob Blake shooting. Staley said he believed they were “great” and an appropriate response to world events.
And when asked if she thought her student-athletes would watch a game to send a similar message, she left the door open for possibility.
“I mean, I wouldn’t be surprised if they decided that, you know, this is something they want to flex,” said Staley. “And then, if we get to that point, we get to that point and we have to have discussions, but we hope to have some discussions before that, before we get to that point. And if I get to that point, what can I do? I will not get in their way. “
Staley’s comments did not please the owners and supporters of the college sports plantations. She has also been aggressive in trying to change the school’s administrative culture.
According to the Charlotte Observer, in the past few months, Staley talked about the need for greater diversity in the USC athletics department, joined the effort to remove the name of Strom Thurmond from the South Carolina campus buildings and was named to the newly formed SEC board on racial equality and social justice.
Candace Parker, an analyst for LA Sparks and TNT hoops, was shocked by a wicked and prejudiced message left on Gamecock’s central forum accusing Staley of infiltrating sports with politics. It was a harsh reminder that there are a contingent of people in South Carolina who are members of the old Confederate guard and will not give up their prejudiced beliefs and culture easily. The idea of a unified black community is your worst nightmare.
Wait, I’m confused, is this the year 2020? Everything in this letter reaffirmed what we are doing to fight and demonstrate and act against racism. I support and salute @dawnstaley to continue to be an example on and off the court ❤️ https://t.co/WxgWAF0xi2
– Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) August 31, 2020