By Ben Nicholson
October 19 – The MLS has joined up with other heavyweight sporting organisations in the US across multiple sporting disciplines to advance race relations. The MLS, NFL, NBA, NHL, to name a few, have joined the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) to launch a nationwide campaign that uses the power of sport as vehicle to promote understanding, respect and equality.
RISE has a three-pronged approach “to raise awareness, inspire dialogue and drive enduring action:
1. Drive participation and ownership: RISE is executing a nationwide public awareness campaign to encourage communities to advance race relations in sports and beyond.
2. Leverage voices that break through: RISE is developing strategic partnerships with sports leagues and associations, organisations, athletes, coaches, universities, high schools and policymakers to reach the entire the sports community.
3. Develop meaningful educational programming: RISE will develop tools, resources and a sports-related racial sensitivity curricula aimed to help athletes, coaches, parents and professionals identify, resolve and prevent racially insensitive behaviors and situations.
RISE is aiming to engage individuals through mediums such as social media, apps, and onsite game activation. The organisation will provide a practical training program to promote RISE’s core values of understanding, respect and equality amongst athletes and coaches, specifically the university student-athlete community.
“We are proud to support RISE in its efforts to tackle racism,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber. “Our support of RISE will be an extension of the League’s Don’t Cross the Line initiative, which aims to eliminate bias, prejudice and harassment in all aspects of sport. This collective and collaborative approach is paramount in making a lasting impact.”
Founder, and owner of NFL team Miami Dolphins, Stephen Ross said: “Sport brings together athletes, coaches and fans of all races, uniting us with shared experiences and common goals that transcend our differences. If there is any place where real equality can be found, it’s in sports.
“The sports community is uniquely positioned and empowered to help drive national discussion and action to unite our country, promote understanding, respect and equality and advance race relations now and for the next generation. While it would be unrealistic to say that RISE alone will end racism, we have the opportunity to harness the unifying power of sport and create a new paradigm.”
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