Black History month is set each year in February to remember, thank and commemorate the African Americans that are with us and those who came before us and broke the stigma to be the first, or to achieve and create what others didn’t. According to the History Channel’s website, black history month, “is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history.” To pay homage to the spirit of Black History Month, our Winthrop Eagles have answered what black history – and black history in sports – means to them.
Track and Field sprinter Jalen Hodges spoke on her thoughts regarding black history.
“For me, it is an important month to recognize and honor the past and present African-American activists who fought and continue to fight for civil rights,” Hodges said. “Black history is not just about all the bad times we have been through. It is about integrity, leadership, and determination. It is about showing your true character. For this reason, I am proud to be an African American.”
Track and Field hurdler/jumper Evan Hailes spoke on what black history means in sport.
“Black history in sport to me means so many things. Black athletes are responsible for advancing sports overall and adding so much value to athletics,” Hailes said. “Being a black athlete means taking full advantage of my talents and working hard everyday while remembering a past of exclusion, discrimination and misrepresentation.”
Men’s basketball forward Chase Claxton reflected on how black history impacted him growing up.
“Black history and black sports history is connected to me. Just like the Harlem Renaissance took blacks to new heights and instilled hope for us across the nation, sports did the same thing,” Claxton said. “Kids got to grow up thinking they can be the next Jackie Robinson or the next Muhammad Ali. It also shows people that we are not only equal, we can be superior. Overall, sports really helped black people in the household and politically and I’m thankful for all of the black sports figures before my time.”
Men’s basketball forward DJ Burns’s reflection captures the essence of Black History Month.
“Black history to me is the remembrance of all of those who paved the way so that African Americans such as myself could grow as a part of this country without any limitations,” Burns said. “[It is a] representation of not only how far we have come as in society and also motivation to those up and coming that we can accomplish anything we want if we work hard.”
Graphic: Maggie Claytor/ The Johnsonian
