Athletes continue to stand with their community. Last week the news broke that the Ferguson Grand Jury decided not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the murder of Michael Brown. We first saw the five players from the St. Louis Rams display the “Hands-up…Don’t shoot” gesture to show respect and unity for the people in Ferguson, MO. This time I introduce you to Ariyana Smith. Ariyana is a Junior basketball Player for Knox College (Galesburg,IL). She decided to go against the grain before her team took on Fontbonne University (Clayton, MO) and do something to symbolize that she was also united with the people in Ferguson, MO. During the pre-game singing of the national anthem, Ariyana put up the “Hands-up…Don’t shoot” gesture while she stood in front of the American flag and fell to the gym floor. She stayed laid out in her position for 4.5 minutes. The 4.5 minutes was a representation of the 4.5 hours that Michael Brown’s body laid in the middle of the street uncovered. Ariyana was suspended from the team and escorted from the building after her protest. Earlier this week Knox College officials overturned the suspension and Ariyana is back practicing with her team.
This isn’t the first time and it will not be the last that we see athletes take a stand on political issues that affect their community. I salute Ariyana.
