Howard University Athletes Take a Stand for Social Justice

In a move that has sparked intense discussions within the HBCU community, the Howard University Athletic Department has implemented a new protocol requiring student-athletes to either stand for the national anthem or remain in the locker room during pregame ceremonies.

The decision comes after the Howard University women's basketball team knelt during the national anthem against the United States Military Academy on Dec. 29, a long-running protest against social injustice that the team has been carrying out since 2020.

In a written statement, Howard University's Vice President of Athletics, Kery Davis, explained the department's goal is to "support our students' freedom of expression while upholding mutual respect for all communities." Davis acknowledged the "thoughtful internal conversations" that took place among athletics leadership, coaches, and student-athletes regarding pregame protocols.

Women's basketball associate head coach, Brian Davis, confirmed the change, stating that the updated approach was communicated as a department-wide expectation. He stressed that the team's intent was never to disrespect, but rather to take a stand against social injustice, especially the "social justice things" that were happening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our program has been kneeling since COVID, especially when all the social justice things were happening. All the young men and women Black of color [who] were passing away from the hands of police brutality, we decided to take a stand against social injustice."

The debate over athlete protests during the national anthem is not new to the Howard University campus.

The latest decision has also sparked conversations among other Howard University athletic teams. Ireal Wyze-Daly, a junior goalkeeper on the men's soccer team, said the program met to discuss whether they would stand in solidarity with the women's basketball team or comply with the department's expectation.

"Personally, I don't stand for the national anthem," Wyze-Daly said. "I don't really believe the messages within the national anthem."

However, Wyze-Daly also mentioned that athletes were told that individual acts of protest could have consequences for the broader department, and he wasn't willing to risk funding and support for more than 500 student-athletes.

HBCUConnect's Perspective

As the premier online community for HBCU alumni and supporters, HBCUConnect.com recognizes the significance of this story for the HBCU community. The Howard University Athletics Department's decision to restrict player protests during the national anthem reflects the delicate balance between upholding institutional policies and supporting student-athletes' right to exercise their freedom of expression.

This issue resonates deeply with the HBCU community, which has a long history of advocacy and activism in the fight against social injustice. HBCUs have often served as incubators for social movements and have played a vital role in empowering students to use their voices to enact positive change.

While the Howard University Athletics Department's decision may be viewed as a restriction on student expression, it is crucial to understand the broader context and the department's efforts to find a middle ground. The HBCU community will continue to closely follow this story, as it speaks to the larger conversations surrounding the role of student-athletes in driving social change and the responsibility of institutions to support and empower their voices.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.