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National

anthem protests spark discussion at UMD



COLLEGE PARK, Md.- The discussion of the recent protests of the National Anthem at publicized
football games is spreading throughout the University of Maryland campus. While no student
athlete on the campus has taken part in the protest, there has been consideration within the
athletic department on how to handle possible future protests.

Athletes, coaches, media personnel, and administrative staff have expressed that
communication is key to creating an environment where all athletes feel accepted and
confident in who they are.

As an African American I should be able to protest. As a student athlete you have to watch
what you say, said Suli Dainkeh, a senior on the Terps soccer team. I feel like its a topic I can
relate to and it scares me with whats being going on, like the police shootings, and I feel like I
have the right to stand up for my concerns.

The athletic department acknowledges the social issues that affect students, and the staff is
currently discussing ways to address these concerns.

Our team would probably meet and find what they wouldnt be standing for. Whats the
political point? Would it be for safety, for women rights? Whats the topic? said Missy Meharg,
head field hockey coach for the Terps. As a team we need to listen to the person, listen to be
heard. See where they are coming from and why, take some time to digest it and not act
quickly.

Meharg, along with athletic staff, is eager to help support students. Coaches understand that
social injustices go beyond these protests, but demonstrations must be for legitimate reasons
and followed by discussion.

Many African American students and student athletes believe they have the right both as an
African American and an American citizen to protest.

Brittney Woods, an African American Studies major at the University of Maryland, claims the
university should provide support to athletes who wish to protest and generate conversation
on the injustices they seek to change. Student athletes visibility makes their participation in the
national anthem protests influential.

They have more of a platform, just like professional athletes have more of a platform, said
Woods. They have a civic duty to use their platform to address these systemic issues that are
becoming more and more pertinent in this day and age.


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Kevin Anderson, the University of Maryland athletic director, is proposing a way to voice
concerns of the African American community from the eyes of student athletes. He plans to
hold a discussion panel in October.

In regards to protest and team support, Dainkeh has no doubt that he will have Terps on his
side: Players, even the non-black kids, discussed that if anyone wanted to do it, they would
back us no matter what.

Coaches are working together to find a way to please student athlete protestors who wish to
seek change.

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