BleedGopher
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per Marcus:
The Gophers men’s basketball team gathered Monday for a Zoom call.
The topic was race. And coach Richard Pitino told his black players that, as a white man, he doesn’t know what they’re going through.
Then he just listened.
“We acknowledge there are problems,” Pitino said Wednesday. “And how can we all fix it together.”
A week after George Floyd’s death in south Minneapolis, a black man’s death where a white police officer faces murder charges, Pitino said his players expressed anger, fear and frustration. With their emotions still simmering, the dialogue began about being part of changes together, creating a sense of unity.
Peaceful protests. Speaking out for justice and equality. Pitino is allowing his players to do that. He asked them how they’ve experienced racism, and what they can do to make things better.
“This isn’t just a Minneapolis or Minnesota problem. This is a worldwide problem,” Pitino said. “How am I as a white male and coach going to support black athletes who come into my program and who I recruit? Let them have a voice, explain and teach us, and help us learn how to make change. Making sure I’m empowering them moving forward is so important.”
Many leaders around the country have made statements to support Floyd’s family and are calling for change. Few statements have been specific on what that actually means.
Pitino said he would tell recruits that he doesn’t know the exact answers yet. But they’re working toward change.
“You have to be upfront and honest with them,” he said. “You have to tell them how disgusted [I am] with what happened in Minneapolis, but also explain to them I’ve lived here for eight years. And one of the things I love about Minnesota is how safe and welcoming it feels. How diverse it is.”
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
The Gophers men’s basketball team gathered Monday for a Zoom call.
The topic was race. And coach Richard Pitino told his black players that, as a white man, he doesn’t know what they’re going through.
Then he just listened.
“We acknowledge there are problems,” Pitino said Wednesday. “And how can we all fix it together.”
A week after George Floyd’s death in south Minneapolis, a black man’s death where a white police officer faces murder charges, Pitino said his players expressed anger, fear and frustration. With their emotions still simmering, the dialogue began about being part of changes together, creating a sense of unity.
Peaceful protests. Speaking out for justice and equality. Pitino is allowing his players to do that. He asked them how they’ve experienced racism, and what they can do to make things better.
“This isn’t just a Minneapolis or Minnesota problem. This is a worldwide problem,” Pitino said. “How am I as a white male and coach going to support black athletes who come into my program and who I recruit? Let them have a voice, explain and teach us, and help us learn how to make change. Making sure I’m empowering them moving forward is so important.”
Many leaders around the country have made statements to support Floyd’s family and are calling for change. Few statements have been specific on what that actually means.
Pitino said he would tell recruits that he doesn’t know the exact answers yet. But they’re working toward change.
“You have to be upfront and honest with them,” he said. “You have to tell them how disgusted [I am] with what happened in Minneapolis, but also explain to them I’ve lived here for eight years. And one of the things I love about Minnesota is how safe and welcoming it feels. How diverse it is.”
Richard Pitino says coaches must be 'upfront and honest' about racial issues
The 23 head coaches at the University of Minnesota met via a conference call on Wednesday. All of them are white.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!