PAIGE BUECKERS EXPOSES WHITE PRIVILEGE IN SPORTS & CELEBRATES BLACK WOMEN
Paige Bueckers, the star point guard for the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team, took the time to celebrate Black women in her acceptance speech at the 2021 Espy Awards. Bueckers was named the best college athlete in women’s sports.
She began by thanking her teammates and coaches. She then catches her breathe to say, “With the light that I have now as a White woman who leads a Black-led sport and celebrated here, I want to shed a light on Black women,” said Bueckers, the reigning national player of the year. “They don’t get the media coverage that they deserve. They’ve given so much to the sport, the community and society as a whole and their value is undeniable.”
Paige Bueckers' #ESPYAwards speech 👏
"I want to shed a light on Black women. They don’t get the media coverage that they deserve. They’ve given so much to the sport, the community & society as a whole & their value is undeniable.”pic.twitter.com/4PCWTyxYKM
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 11, 2021
Bueckers came with all facts during her speech, stating that last year 80% of the post-season awards were won by Black players. Still, they got half the amount of media coverage of the White athletes.
“I think it’s time for change. Sports media holds the key to storylines. Sports media and sponsors tell us who is valuable, and you have told the world that I mattered today, and everyone who voted, thank you. But I think we should use this power together to also celebrate Black women.”
She acknowledged other Black women pioneers saying, “To Maria Taylor, Robin Roberts, Maya Moore, Odicci Alexander. To all the incredible Black women in my life and on my teams. To Breonna Taylor and all the lives lost, and to those names who are not yet learned, but I hope to share, I stand behind you and I continue to follow you, follow your lead and fight for you guys so I just want to say thank you for everything.”
Over the past year, the sports industry has put out countless statements to show its’ dedication to uplifting the Black community. However, their actions show different as none have been taken other than a few social media posts.
