[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] I love the game of football I love this
I love the game of football I love this
I love the game of football I love this game so much that as a kid my dad and I
game so much that as a kid my dad and I
game so much that as a kid my dad and I would travel from city to city town to
would travel from city to city town to
would travel from city to city town to town here in this great state of Texas
town here in this great state of Texas
town here in this great state of Texas to view our local high school team John
to view our local high school team John
to view our local high school team John Tyler high school Lions in 1994 this
Tyler high school Lions in 1994 this
Tyler high school Lions in 1994 this great group of young men who would be my
great group of young men who would be my
great group of young men who would be my heroes at that time went on to win the
heroes at that time went on to win the
heroes at that time went on to win the 1994 state champion Chile I remember the
1994 state champion Chile I remember the
1994 state champion Chile I remember the moment that I made the decision that
moment that I made the decision that
moment that I made the decision that football was something that I was going
football was something that I was going
football was something that I was going to pursue at all cost was at 94 when we
to pursue at all cost was at 94 when we
to pursue at all cost was at 94 when we read what was then Texas Stadium plan
read what was then Texas Stadium plan
read what was then Texas Stadium plan against Plano he’s 22 seconds or so left
against Plano he’s 22 seconds or so left
against Plano he’s 22 seconds or so left on the clock looks like we’re about to
on the clock looks like we’re about to
on the clock looks like we’re about to lose then number 22
lose then number 22
lose then number 22 Roger done catches the kickoff runs it
Roger done catches the kickoff runs it
Roger done catches the kickoff runs it back we win the game and we also win an
back we win the game and we also win an
back we win the game and we also win an espy that year too I made the decision
espy that year too I made the decision
espy that year too I made the decision walking out of the stadium I told Dad I
walking out of the stadium I told Dad I
walking out of the stadium I told Dad I got to play for John Tyler so as fate
got to play for John Tyler so as fate
got to play for John Tyler so as fate would have it a couple years later I got
would have it a couple years later I got
would have it a couple years later I got a chance to play for John Tyler I got a
a chance to play for John Tyler I got a
a chance to play for John Tyler I got a chance to be around some great young men
chance to be around some great young men
chance to be around some great young men I got a chance to learn some valuable
I got a chance to learn some valuable
I got a chance to learn some valuable life lessons but more importantly that’s
life lessons but more importantly that’s
life lessons but more importantly that’s where my curiosity also began to grow
where my curiosity also began to grow
where my curiosity also began to grow because you see being entirely and being
because you see being entirely and being
because you see being entirely and being in the city with a great legendary head
in the city with a great legendary head
in the city with a great legendary head coach and Alan Wilson and great players
coach and Alan Wilson and great players
coach and Alan Wilson and great players that will go on to play football at the
that will go on to play football at the
that will go on to play football at the Division one ranks like Maurice Anderson
Division one ranks like Maurice Anderson
Division one ranks like Maurice Anderson darling Braun so many people but the
darling Braun so many people but the
darling Braun so many people but the thing that may be the saddest about that
thing that may be the saddest about that
thing that may be the saddest about that situation was the trend that I kept
situation was the trend that I kept
situation was the trend that I kept noticing I noticed that there were guys
noticing I noticed that there were guys
noticing I noticed that there were guys that would go off to Baylor or Texas or
that would go off to Baylor or Texas or
that would go off to Baylor or Texas or Texas A&M or Texas Tech or Kansas State
Texas A&M or Texas Tech or Kansas State
Texas A&M or Texas Tech or Kansas State or Florida State in places like that but
or Florida State in places like that but
or Florida State in places like that but you’re involved season and wouldn’t be
you’re involved season and wouldn’t be
you’re involved season and wouldn’t be at the game and I wondered what’s
at the game and I wondered what’s
at the game and I wondered what’s happening what went on that this guy
happening what went on that this guy
happening what went on that this guy this hero this legend this guy who a few
this hero this legend this guy who a few
this hero this legend this guy who a few months
months
months was celebrating and now is here where
was celebrating and now is here where
was celebrating and now is here where you come back during spring break and
you come back during spring break and
you come back during spring break and they’re still here or my father who
they’re still here or my father who
they’re still here or my father who worked for training said hey did you
worked for training said hey did you
worked for training said hey did you know so-and-so is now working at the
know so-and-so is now working at the
know so-and-so is now working at the plant with me or I just trained a young
plant with me or I just trained a young
plant with me or I just trained a young man who was you know a star athlete or
man who was you know a star athlete or
man who was you know a star athlete or star running back star receiver who’s
star running back star receiver who’s
star running back star receiver who’s now working with me so as fate would
now working with me so as fate would
now working with me so as fate would have it living in a small town you hear
have it living in a small town you hear
have it living in a small town you hear chattering you hear what people are
chattering you hear what people are
chattering you hear what people are saying about these young men about why
saying about these young men about why
saying about these young men about why they’re here why they’re not back at
they’re here why they’re not back at
they’re here why they’re not back at school what happened my own speculation
school what happened my own speculation
school what happened my own speculation or assumption about why they didn’t do
or assumption about why they didn’t do
or assumption about why they didn’t do well he didn’t go to class or he got
well he didn’t go to class or he got
well he didn’t go to class or he got some girl pregnant or he was never going
some girl pregnant or he was never going
some girl pregnant or he was never going to make it at that school anyway they
to make it at that school anyway they
to make it at that school anyway they just brought him there so that he could
just brought him there so that he could
just brought him there so that he could play football I never really bought that
play football I never really bought that
play football I never really bought that but a lot of my peers did but then for
but a lot of my peers did but then for
but a lot of my peers did but then for the few but the few that were out there
the few but the few that were out there
the few but the few that were out there that were succeeding there was another
that were succeeding there was another
that were succeeding there was another word that was getting thrown around it
word that was getting thrown around it
word that was getting thrown around it was called Minami to be an anomaly in
was called Minami to be an anomaly in
was called Minami to be an anomaly in this context means that you’re
this context means that you’re
this context means that you’re successful in the class and outside of
successful in the class and outside of
successful in the class and outside of the class which I find ironic because
the class which I find ironic because
the class which I find ironic because the term is student athlete so in doing
the term is student athlete so in doing
the term is student athlete so in doing your job you get called an anomaly
your job you get called an anomaly
your job you get called an anomaly because you haven’t need to be good at
because you haven’t need to be good at
because you haven’t need to be good at one or the other according to some I
one or the other according to some I
one or the other according to some I never believe that and not only did I
never believe that and not only did I
never believe that and not only did I never believe it I was not going to
never believe it I was not going to
never believe it I was not going to continue to perpetuate this myth and so
continue to perpetuate this myth and so
continue to perpetuate this myth and so I did the only logical thing that a
I did the only logical thing that a
I did the only logical thing that a person in my shoes could do I decided to
person in my shoes could do I decided to
person in my shoes could do I decided to get a PhD and so after I left everything
get a PhD and so after I left everything
get a PhD and so after I left everything Christian in 2009 I got accepted into a
Christian in 2009 I got accepted into a
Christian in 2009 I got accepted into a ph.d program at the University of Texas
ph.d program at the University of Texas
ph.d program at the University of Texas at Arlington and I knew I was going to
at Arlington and I knew I was going to
at Arlington and I knew I was going to study something with black men in higher
study something with black men in higher
study something with black men in higher education because I got sick and tired
education because I got sick and tired
education because I got sick and tired of reading study after study or reading
of reading study after study or reading
of reading study after study or reading news story after news story that was
news story after news story that was
news story after news story that was mostly negative or about how two thirds
mostly negative or about how two thirds
mostly negative or about how two thirds or more than two-thirds of all black
or more than two-thirds of all black
or more than two-thirds of all black males who start college never finish or
males who start college never finish or
males who start college never finish or reading a news story about a student
reading a news story about a student
reading a news story about a student who got in trouble with the law and is
who got in trouble with the law and is
who got in trouble with the law and is no longer in school or he kicked out of
no longer in school or he kicked out of
no longer in school or he kicked out of school for smoking marijuana that’s not
school for smoking marijuana that’s not
school for smoking marijuana that’s not the case for everybody and so as I
the case for everybody and so as I
the case for everybody and so as I pursued this study I started to look at
pursued this study I started to look at
pursued this study I started to look at what the research was showing and so
what the research was showing and so
what the research was showing and so there’s a couple of things that I
there’s a couple of things that I
there’s a couple of things that I noticed in the research number one as it
noticed in the research number one as it
noticed in the research number one as it pertains to black men there’s this thing
pertains to black men there’s this thing
pertains to black men there’s this thing called socialization and not just black
called socialization and not just black
called socialization and not just black men but black people in general
men but black people in general
men but black people in general socialization is basically the principal
socialization is basically the principal
socialization is basically the principal process by which the codes and sanctions
process by which the codes and sanctions
process by which the codes and sanctions of a social order are imposed on
of a social order are imposed on
of a social order are imposed on individuals this is why boys open doors
individuals this is why boys open doors
individuals this is why boys open doors for women it’s a social order that’s
for women it’s a social order that’s
for women it’s a social order that’s imposed upon this is why you pull out
imposed upon this is why you pull out
imposed upon this is why you pull out the chair at dinner for your date which
the chair at dinner for your date which
the chair at dinner for your date which I hope you do this is also why in the
I hope you do this is also why in the
I hope you do this is also why in the black community specifically some kids
black community specifically some kids
black community specifically some kids are socialized to pursue sports
are socialized to pursue sports
are socialized to pursue sports forsaking other endeavors another
forsaking other endeavors another
forsaking other endeavors another example of this my daughter welcome on
example of this my daughter welcome on
example of this my daughter welcome on my own is job Elissa she’s forward and
my own is job Elissa she’s forward and
my own is job Elissa she’s forward and she’s tall for her age if you saw my
she’s tall for her age if you saw my
she’s tall for her age if you saw my daughter
daughter
daughter you wouldn’t think that she was old you
you wouldn’t think that she was old you
you wouldn’t think that she was old you think she’s six or seven because she’s
think she’s six or seven because she’s
think she’s six or seven because she’s this tall already she’s slim she’s got
this tall already she’s slim she’s got
this tall already she’s slim she’s got very big calf muscles because she only
very big calf muscles because she only
very big calf muscles because she only walks on her tippy toes it’s annoying
walks on her tippy toes it’s annoying
walks on her tippy toes it’s annoying trust me but every time somebody sees my
trust me but every time somebody sees my
trust me but every time somebody sees my daughter the first thing they say is
daughter the first thing they say is
daughter the first thing they say is what kind of athlete she’s going to be
what kind of athlete she’s going to be
what kind of athlete she’s going to be or what kind of dancer she’s going to be
or what kind of dancer she’s going to be
or what kind of dancer she’s going to be or how fast she’s going to be able to
or how fast she’s going to be able to
or how fast she’s going to be able to run and I’m going to have you ever seen
run and I’m going to have you ever seen
run and I’m going to have you ever seen her dance
her dance
her dance it’s the comfiest thing in the world for
it’s the comfiest thing in the world for
it’s the comfiest thing in the world for my son who’s just one years old and he’s
my son who’s just one years old and he’s
my son who’s just one years old and he’s huge he’s off the charts in every
huge he’s off the charts in every
huge he’s off the charts in every category my dad was a big man – my dad
category my dad was a big man – my dad
category my dad was a big man – my dad was a running back I unfortunately
was a running back I unfortunately
was a running back I unfortunately didn’t Harry the athletic ability but
didn’t Harry the athletic ability but
didn’t Harry the athletic ability but that’s another story for another time
that’s another story for another time
that’s another story for another time but my son when people see my son
but my son when people see my son
but my son when people see my son instantly oh my gosh what kind of
instantly oh my gosh what kind of
instantly oh my gosh what kind of linebacker is he going to be and I’m
linebacker is he going to be and I’m
linebacker is he going to be and I’m thinking we’ll wait a second what if he
thinking we’ll wait a second what if he
thinking we’ll wait a second what if he wants to program or code or be an
wants to program or code or be an
wants to program or code or be an English teacher socialization impacts
English teacher socialization impacts
English teacher socialization impacts blacks or does
blacks or does
blacks or does brothers and sisters this is important
brothers and sisters this is important
brothers and sisters this is important but another area that came up was
but another area that came up was
but another area that came up was motivation and achievement it seems
motivation and achievement it seems
motivation and achievement it seems obvious that to be successful you’re
obvious that to be successful you’re
obvious that to be successful you’re gonna have to be motivated to do it you
gonna have to be motivated to do it you
gonna have to be motivated to do it you have to have this intrinsic motivation
have to have this intrinsic motivation
have to have this intrinsic motivation that drives you forward but some would
that drives you forward but some would
that drives you forward but some would say that some of those guys who came
say that some of those guys who came
say that some of those guys who came back home were lacking it I didn’t buy
back home were lacking it I didn’t buy
back home were lacking it I didn’t buy that I didn’t buy the notion that that
that I didn’t buy the notion that that
that I didn’t buy the notion that that guys that I knew went off to college and
guys that I knew went off to college and
guys that I knew went off to college and weren’t successful didn’t lack the
weren’t successful didn’t lack the
weren’t successful didn’t lack the motivation and achievement I didn’t buy
motivation and achievement I didn’t buy
motivation and achievement I didn’t buy that but it’s important because the
that but it’s important because the
that but it’s important because the schools that our guys attend can almost
schools that our guys attend can almost
schools that our guys attend can almost always hinder the motivation and
always hinder the motivation and
always hinder the motivation and achievement of the young men that they
achievement of the young men that they
achievement of the young men that they bring in but not only that impact it
bring in but not only that impact it
bring in but not only that impact it impacts your ability to overcome
impacts your ability to overcome
impacts your ability to overcome adversity and the things that you will
adversity and the things that you will
adversity and the things that you will endure as a student-athlete on a college
endure as a student-athlete on a college
endure as a student-athlete on a college campus if you don’t have that desire or
campus if you don’t have that desire or
campus if you don’t have that desire or that fire in you you can be hindered in
that fire in you you can be hindered in
that fire in you you can be hindered in that process but then of course why this
that process but then of course why this
that process but then of course why this is important to me because there’s a
is important to me because there’s a
is important to me because there’s a level of racism that shows up with this
level of racism that shows up with this
level of racism that shows up with this unfortunately because see you’re given
unfortunately because see you’re given
unfortunately because see you’re given if you’ve got think about this you’ve
if you’ve got think about this you’ve
if you’ve got think about this you’ve got 18 19 20 21 22 year-olds kids they
got 18 19 20 21 22 year-olds kids they
got 18 19 20 21 22 year-olds kids they driven to these predominantly white
driven to these predominantly white
driven to these predominantly white institutions coming from a school like
institutions coming from a school like
institutions coming from a school like you saw my photo
you saw my photo
you saw my photo we were predominantly black school now
we were predominantly black school now
we were predominantly black school now imagine going to a place where you were
imagine going to a place where you were
imagine going to a place where you were in the majority to where now you are now
in the majority to where now you are now
in the majority to where now you are now in the minority for the first time in
in the minority for the first time in
in the minority for the first time in your life and you’re dealing with people
your life and you’re dealing with people
your life and you’re dealing with people that you’ve never dealt with before it
that you’ve never dealt with before it
that you’ve never dealt with before it ever had to engage with in a healthy way
ever had to engage with in a healthy way
ever had to engage with in a healthy way racism rears its ugly head in our
racism rears its ugly head in our
racism rears its ugly head in our classrooms every day and I mean there’s
classrooms every day and I mean there’s
classrooms every day and I mean there’s racism but the stereotypes follow suit
racism but the stereotypes follow suit
racism but the stereotypes follow suit as well look I say you have to as a
as well look I say you have to as a
as well look I say you have to as a black male or even as a student-athlete
black male or even as a student-athlete
black male or even as a student-athlete you have to deal with this myth of being
you have to deal with this myth of being
you have to deal with this myth of being a dumb jock you have to deal with this
a dumb jock you have to deal with this
a dumb jock you have to deal with this myth or this stereotype that all the
myth or this stereotype that all the
myth or this stereotype that all the only reason you’re here is because you
only reason you’re here is because you
only reason you’re here is because you can dribble the basketball run really
can dribble the basketball run really
can dribble the basketball run really fast or throw a ball down the field and
fast or throw a ball down the field and
fast or throw a ball down the field and then you walk into a classroom only to
then you walk into a classroom only to
then you walk into a classroom only to be considered smart enough just to get
be considered smart enough just to get
be considered smart enough just to get by or that the professor
by or that the professor
by or that the professor now the country some slack because you
now the country some slack because you
now the country some slack because you on ESPN and that’s not fair and so I put
on ESPN and that’s not fair and so I put
on ESPN and that’s not fair and so I put together a study with the help of my
together a study with the help of my
together a study with the help of my dissertation chair doctoral from love
dissertation chair doctoral from love
dissertation chair doctoral from love mom and I wanted to conduct an
mom and I wanted to conduct an
mom and I wanted to conduct an investigation that reflected the voices
investigation that reflected the voices
investigation that reflected the voices of black males who were successful in
of black males who were successful in
of black males who were successful in the classroom and outside of the
the classroom and outside of the
the classroom and outside of the classroom and the method that lending
classroom and the method that lending
classroom and the method that lending itself most closely to that was a method
itself most closely to that was a method
itself most closely to that was a method called phenomenology phenomenology is
called phenomenology phenomenology is
called phenomenology phenomenology is basically the study of the lived
basically the study of the lived
basically the study of the lived experience into an interview with
experience into an interview with
experience into an interview with someone and basically what you report
someone and basically what you report
someone and basically what you report are the words that they use it doesn’t
are the words that they use it doesn’t
are the words that they use it doesn’t my words don’t get put in there it’s the
my words don’t get put in there it’s the
my words don’t get put in there it’s the word of the participants which I’ll
word of the participants which I’ll
word of the participants which I’ll share with you shortly
share with you shortly
share with you shortly but after we put in a disclaimer here if
but after we put in a disclaimer here if
but after we put in a disclaimer here if you’ve ever read a comic book or watch
you’ve ever read a comic book or watch
you’ve ever read a comic book or watch TV you’ll notice that these names that
TV you’ll notice that these names that
TV you’ll notice that these names that you see here are fictitious
you see here are fictitious
you see here are fictitious for obvious reasons because we
for obvious reasons because we
for obvious reasons because we underscore anonymity in order to even
underscore anonymity in order to even
underscore anonymity in order to even get access but more important I couldn’t
get access but more important I couldn’t
get access but more important I couldn’t give you the real name of the school
give you the real name of the school
give you the real name of the school because if I gave you the name or the
because if I gave you the name or the
because if I gave you the name or the school you figure out who we’re talking
school you figure out who we’re talking
school you figure out who we’re talking about and so I was able to get access to
about and so I was able to get access to
about and so I was able to get access to five young men five young men who were
five young men five young men who were
five young men five young men who were starters on their respective football
starters on their respective football
starters on their respective football teams but were also academically
teams but were also academically
teams but were also academically excelling and the criteria that I said
excelling and the criteria that I said
excelling and the criteria that I said was very hot because the demands on a
was very hot because the demands on a
was very hot because the demands on a student-athlete are above the norm but
student-athlete are above the norm but
student-athlete are above the norm but as you can see by these GPAs and these
as you can see by these GPAs and these
as you can see by these GPAs and these majors these are outstanding young men
majors these are outstanding young men
majors these are outstanding young men let me tell you what I found one of the
let me tell you what I found one of the
let me tell you what I found one of the participants said that it’s as a black
participants said that it’s as a black
participants said that it’s as a black male that’s a student-athlete at this
male that’s a student-athlete at this
male that’s a student-athlete at this predominately white school it felt like
predominately white school it felt like
predominately white school it felt like it’s being under a magnifying glass
it’s being under a magnifying glass
it’s being under a magnifying glass everything you do everything you say
everything you do everything you say
everything you do everything you say it’s amplified its magnified to the
it’s amplified its magnified to the
it’s amplified its magnified to the point where it’s almost not fair because
point where it’s almost not fair because
point where it’s almost not fair because you can’t be like everyone else and so
you can’t be like everyone else and so
you can’t be like everyone else and so what does it mean to be under the
what does it mean to be under the
what does it mean to be under the magnifying glass number one is to have
magnifying glass number one is to have
magnifying glass number one is to have your intelligence and your very presence
your intelligence and your very presence
your intelligence and your very presence questioned all the time you walk into
questioned all the time you walk into
questioned all the time you walk into the class you wearing your letterman
the class you wearing your letterman
the class you wearing your letterman jacket or you happen to have on some
jacket or you happen to have on some
jacket or you happen to have on some sweats or you’re wearing something with
sweats or you’re wearing something with
sweats or you’re wearing something with your number on it or
your number on it or
your number on it or just happen to be six foot five 315
just happen to be six foot five 315
just happen to be six foot five 315 pounds and you just happen to be hard to
pounds and you just happen to be hard to
pounds and you just happen to be hard to miss whether you’re an athlete or not
miss whether you’re an athlete or not
miss whether you’re an athlete or not most people in that room are going to
most people in that room are going to
most people in that room are going to thank you an athlete or if you’re like
thank you an athlete or if you’re like
thank you an athlete or if you’re like one of my participants if you want to go
one of my participants if you want to go
one of my participants if you want to go to medical school and become a doctor
to medical school and become a doctor
to medical school and become a doctor one of those anomalies that people keep
one of those anomalies that people keep
one of those anomalies that people keep talking about but then everybody in
talking about but then everybody in
talking about but then everybody in there is going wow you’re smart enough
there is going wow you’re smart enough
there is going wow you’re smart enough to be here oh wow
to be here oh wow
to be here oh wow you’re smarter than what we thought you
you’re smarter than what we thought you
you’re smarter than what we thought you were you’re more than just an athlete or
were you’re more than just an athlete or
were you’re more than just an athlete or the one I hate most you’re different
the one I hate most you’re different
the one I hate most you’re different from everyone else you’re different from
from everyone else you’re different from
from everyone else you’re different from the other guys what do you mean by that
the other guys what do you mean by that
the other guys what do you mean by that so have your intelligence questioned not
so have your intelligence questioned not
so have your intelligence questioned not like it’s not like they didn’t have to
like it’s not like they didn’t have to
like it’s not like they didn’t have to apply for the through the samples you
apply for the through the samples you
apply for the through the samples you had your plaque or as a student hearing
had your plaque or as a student hearing
had your plaque or as a student hearing things like he didn’t have to submit an
things like he didn’t have to submit an
things like he didn’t have to submit an application to the deadline like I did
application to the deadline like I did
application to the deadline like I did or you’re here because of a primitive
or you’re here because of a primitive
or you’re here because of a primitive action or or because of some case or
action or or because of some case or
action or or because of some case or some civil litigation you’re here and
some civil litigation you’re here and
some civil litigation you’re here and somebody else that’s more qualified
somebody else that’s more qualified
somebody else that’s more qualified isn’t here we heard these things I heard
isn’t here we heard these things I heard
isn’t here we heard these things I heard these things as a student here from
these things as a student here from
these things as a student here from other students it’s hurt it’s pain but
other students it’s hurt it’s pain but
other students it’s hurt it’s pain but it’s imagine being an athlete
it’s imagine being an athlete
it’s imagine being an athlete representing this school these same
representing this school these same
representing this school these same people who cheer you on
people who cheer you on
people who cheer you on on Saturdays are the same people that
on Saturdays are the same people that
on Saturdays are the same people that will move you or be mad at you you throw
will move you or be mad at you you throw
will move you or be mad at you you throw the game losing interception or fungal
the game losing interception or fungal
the game losing interception or fungal the bottle and cost you again my singing
the bottle and cost you again my singing
the bottle and cost you again my singing among knives not only that our student
among knives not only that our student
among knives not only that our student athletes have to do more than the
athletes have to do more than the
athletes have to do more than the regular student but when you add that
regular student but when you add that
regular student but when you add that with the racism and the stereotypes that
with the racism and the stereotypes that
with the racism and the stereotypes that come with being a black male student
come with being a black male student
come with being a black male student athlete and you’re 18 or 19 years a star
athlete and you’re 18 or 19 years a star
athlete and you’re 18 or 19 years a star quarterback at a school where all of
quarterback at a school where all of
quarterback at a school where all of your games are going to be televised and
your games are going to be televised and
your games are going to be televised and so with all of your mistakes it becomes
so with all of your mistakes it becomes
so with all of your mistakes it becomes a little bit more difficult and it’s a
a little bit more difficult and it’s a
a little bit more difficult and it’s a little bit more understanding why some
little bit more understanding why some
little bit more understanding why some people don’t make what we’re talking
people don’t make what we’re talking
people don’t make what we’re talking about why people do make it but our
about why people do make it but our
about why people do make it but our athletes have
athletes have
athletes have more than the regular student one of the
more than the regular student one of the
more than the regular student one of the participants talked about describing he
participants talked about describing he
participants talked about describing he said my grandmother may die but we have
said my grandmother may die but we have
said my grandmother may die but we have a game against the crosstown rival or a
a game against the crosstown rival or a
a game against the crosstown rival or a rival from the state this weekend all
rival from the state this weekend all
rival from the state this weekend all the donors are going to be here all the
the donors are going to be here all the
the donors are going to be here all the guys from the NFL are going to come in
guys from the NFL are going to come in
guys from the NFL are going to come in and be here for this game it’s a big
and be here for this game it’s a big
and be here for this game it’s a big money-making weekend and I’m the star
money-making weekend and I’m the star
money-making weekend and I’m the star quarterback I can’t go to my
quarterback I can’t go to my
quarterback I can’t go to my grandmother’s funeral because our
grandmother’s funeral because our
grandmother’s funeral because our backups not going to do well we may lose
backups not going to do well we may lose
backups not going to do well we may lose the game they cost us a spot in the
the game they cost us a spot in the
the game they cost us a spot in the playoffs but my grandmother died my
playoffs but my grandmother died my
playoffs but my grandmother died my grandmother’s dead I’m 19 years old this
grandmother’s dead I’m 19 years old this
grandmother’s dead I’m 19 years old this is the woman that helped me get here but
is the woman that helped me get here but
is the woman that helped me get here but I can’t go home and then I only can I
I can’t go home and then I only can I
I can’t go home and then I only can I not go home I’m not doing so well in my
not go home I’m not doing so well in my
not go home I’m not doing so well in my math class so I got to go to tutoring
math class so I got to go to tutoring
math class so I got to go to tutoring for that and if I do decide against my
for that and if I do decide against my
for that and if I do decide against my coach and my team’s wishes to go home
coach and my team’s wishes to go home
coach and my team’s wishes to go home now I run the risk of losing the
now I run the risk of losing the
now I run the risk of losing the scholarship that’s paying for me to be
scholarship that’s paying for me to be
scholarship that’s paying for me to be here and then I turn on ESPN and I hear
here and then I turn on ESPN and I hear
here and then I turn on ESPN and I hear Skip Bayless
Skip Bayless
Skip Bayless or I hear that Stephen a Smith
or I hear that Stephen a Smith
or I hear that Stephen a Smith condemning my actions for wanting to go
condemning my actions for wanting to go
condemning my actions for wanting to go home or I hear a commentator saying I
home or I hear a commentator saying I
home or I hear a commentator saying I should be grateful or as in the case of
should be grateful or as in the case of
should be grateful or as in the case of some of my participants turn on the
some of my participants turn on the
some of my participants turn on the local radio station and I’ve spent the
local radio station and I’ve spent the
local radio station and I’ve spent the majority of my career working in the
majority of my career working in the
majority of my career working in the south so you can imagine being a black
south so you can imagine being a black
south so you can imagine being a black male and hearing some of the southern
male and hearing some of the southern
male and hearing some of the southern dialect will comment on the radio he
dialect will comment on the radio he
dialect will comment on the radio he ought to be grateful for the opportunity
ought to be grateful for the opportunity
ought to be grateful for the opportunity he ought to be grateful he has a chance
he ought to be grateful he has a chance
he ought to be grateful he has a chance to play here at our great institution
to play here at our great institution
to play here at our great institution but instead he got to deal with more
but instead he got to deal with more
but instead he got to deal with more than the average student he’s got to
than the average student he’s got to
than the average student he’s got to overcome those differences but more
overcome those differences but more
overcome those differences but more importantly you got to overcome those
importantly you got to overcome those
importantly you got to overcome those different racial differences and the
different racial differences and the
different racial differences and the stereotypes because see I can’t just I
stereotypes because see I can’t just I
stereotypes because see I can’t just I can’t be a scholar athlete because that
can’t be a scholar athlete because that
can’t be a scholar athlete because that makes me an anomaly you imagine hearing
makes me an anomaly you imagine hearing
makes me an anomaly you imagine hearing that doing the very thing you set out to
that doing the very thing you set out to
that doing the very thing you set out to do that you’ve been doing well for a
do that you’ve been doing well for a
do that you’ve been doing well for a long time now makes you a freak of
long time now makes you a freak of
long time now makes you a freak of nature this outlier this thing that’s
nature this outlier this thing that’s
nature this outlier this thing that’s different schools predominantly white
different schools predominantly white
different schools predominantly white one participant
one participant
one participant said walk into a classroom but they
said walk into a classroom but they
said walk into a classroom but they automatically assume oh he’s an athlete
automatically assume oh he’s an athlete
automatically assume oh he’s an athlete I had that happen to me here now keep in
I had that happen to me here now keep in
I had that happen to me here now keep in mind Wow I did come to he loves to play
mind Wow I did come to he loves to play
mind Wow I did come to he loves to play football here I walked on but three days
football here I walked on but three days
football here I walked on but three days after my college career started
after my college career started
after my college career started three days later get in because I
three days later get in because I
three days later get in because I realize you know I got out of this but
realize you know I got out of this but
realize you know I got out of this but but the guys that do come into the room
but the guys that do come into the room
but the guys that do come into the room that are taking a biology class or
that are taking a biology class or
that are taking a biology class or taking a graphic design class they
taking a graphic design class they
taking a graphic design class they suddenly get this oh my engineer or
suddenly get this oh my engineer or
suddenly get this oh my engineer or having to overcome the professor that
having to overcome the professor that
having to overcome the professor that thinks that all athletes just want to
thinks that all athletes just want to
thinks that all athletes just want to hand out or that they’re not capable of
hand out or that they’re not capable of
hand out or that they’re not capable of thinking and doing for themselves that’s
thinking and doing for themselves that’s
thinking and doing for themselves that’s not fair and it’s no wonder again it’s
not fair and it’s no wonder again it’s
not fair and it’s no wonder again it’s no wonder why so many don’t make it but
no wonder why so many don’t make it but
no wonder why so many don’t make it but for these guys they’re saying listen we
for these guys they’re saying listen we
for these guys they’re saying listen we gotta build up this level of motivation
gotta build up this level of motivation
gotta build up this level of motivation achievement I’ve gotta find a way to
achievement I’ve gotta find a way to
achievement I’ve gotta find a way to excel despite the stereotypes
excel despite the stereotypes
excel despite the stereotypes despite the racism and they’re doing
despite the racism and they’re doing
despite the racism and they’re doing great all of them but then you have to
great all of them but then you have to
great all of them but then you have to understand a lot of these guys aren’t
understand a lot of these guys aren’t
understand a lot of these guys aren’t from schools where there are a lot of
from schools where there are a lot of
from schools where there are a lot of people that look differently than them
people that look differently than them
people that look differently than them so for the first time they walk into a
so for the first time they walk into a
so for the first time they walk into a room like this and they’re the only one
room like this and they’re the only one
room like this and they’re the only one imaginary you’re the only one it looks
imaginary you’re the only one it looks
imaginary you’re the only one it looks like you hit the room you don’t have a
like you hit the room you don’t have a
like you hit the room you don’t have a professor that looks like you but you’re
professor that looks like you but you’re
professor that looks like you but you’re the only one so one of the participants
the only one so one of the participants
the only one so one of the participants talks about how it’s not uncommon to be
talks about how it’s not uncommon to be
talks about how it’s not uncommon to be the only one but it’s also very common
the only one but it’s also very common
the only one but it’s also very common to get pointed out and excluded from
to get pointed out and excluded from
to get pointed out and excluded from things or for students to judge your
things or for students to judge your
things or for students to judge your intelligence or the judge your presence
intelligence or the judge your presence
intelligence or the judge your presence simply because of the letter on your
simply because of the letter on your
simply because of the letter on your jacket
jacket
jacket it’s not fair so you may be wondering to
it’s not fair so you may be wondering to
it’s not fair so you may be wondering to yourself okay we’ve heard a lot of
yourself okay we’ve heard a lot of
yourself okay we’ve heard a lot of things that your participant said but
things that your participant said but
things that your participant said but what can we do what can we do as a
what can we do what can we do as a
what can we do what can we do as a student what can I do is impress me what
student what can I do is impress me what
student what can I do is impress me what can I do as a staff member what can I do
can I do as a staff member what can I do
can I do as a staff member what can I do as an employee of this institution or
as an employee of this institution or
as an employee of this institution or any institution or where I work
any institution or where I work
any institution or where I work to change this number one you got to
to change this number one you got to
to change this number one you got to stop building programs initiatives
stop building programs initiatives
stop building programs initiatives workshops webinars all these different
workshops webinars all these different
workshops webinars all these different things based on things that didn’t work
things based on things that didn’t work
things based on things that didn’t work it amazes me that with all of the
it amazes me that with all of the
it amazes me that with all of the dollars we have invested in higher
dollars we have invested in higher
dollars we have invested in higher education and all of the money we spend
education and all of the money we spend
education and all of the money we spend we still build programs based on things
we still build programs based on things
we still build programs based on things that didn’t work we do research on the
that didn’t work we do research on the
that didn’t work we do research on the students that leave our institutions and
students that leave our institutions and
students that leave our institutions and then from that information we try to
then from that information we try to
then from that information we try to know the program but when I’m proposing
know the program but when I’m proposing
know the program but when I’m proposing is what if we look at the participants
is what if we look at the participants
is what if we look at the participants like in my study and find out why
like in my study and find out why
like in my study and find out why they’re so successful and build our
they’re so successful and build our
they’re so successful and build our programs from that because I think what
programs from that because I think what
programs from that because I think what we would find is that hey you know what
we would find is that hey you know what
we would find is that hey you know what maybe the to reprogram your works or
maybe the to reprogram your works or
maybe the to reprogram your works or maybe the library doesn’t have enough
maybe the library doesn’t have enough
maybe the library doesn’t have enough books then we need to invest more in the
books then we need to invest more in the
books then we need to invest more in the conversations what I found that I didn’t
conversations what I found that I didn’t
conversations what I found that I didn’t put in the slides was that having a good
put in the slides was that having a good
put in the slides was that having a good relationships with the moms of these
relationships with the moms of these
relationships with the moms of these guys not the – the ones is actually a
guys not the – the ones is actually a
guys not the – the ones is actually a great thing but we can’t build our
great thing but we can’t build our
great thing but we can’t build our progress based on Deficit perspectives
progress based on Deficit perspectives
progress based on Deficit perspectives but second that we’ve got to check our
but second that we’ve got to check our
but second that we’ve got to check our biases we all have whatever regardless
biases we all have whatever regardless
biases we all have whatever regardless of whatever gender we are with our race
of whatever gender we are with our race
of whatever gender we are with our race or ethnicity we’re if we come to the
or ethnicity we’re if we come to the
or ethnicity we’re if we come to the table with it we all have a bias and we
table with it we all have a bias and we
table with it we all have a bias and we have to check them and we have to
have to check them and we have to
have to check them and we have to recognize that that we I have this bias
recognize that that we I have this bias
recognize that that we I have this bias what can I do to think differently about
what can I do to think differently about
what can I do to think differently about this group of people I think the where
this group of people I think the where
this group of people I think the where it starts is stop lumping all astley to
it starts is stop lumping all astley to
it starts is stop lumping all astley to one category and then I think secondly
one category and then I think secondly
one category and then I think secondly stop dumping anybody black white asian
stop dumping anybody black white asian
stop dumping anybody black white asian wherever you come to the table if you
wherever you come to the table if you
wherever you come to the table if you stop lumping people in the same group
stop lumping people in the same group
stop lumping people in the same group and treat them as individuals I think
and treat them as individuals I think
and treat them as individuals I think that we will see an improvement in the
that we will see an improvement in the
that we will see an improvement in the educational outcomes in our society and
educational outcomes in our society and
educational outcomes in our society and those we change our world but also
those we change our world but also
those we change our world but also setting high expectations and equipping
setting high expectations and equipping
setting high expectations and equipping our black males and our black males
our black males and our black males
our black males and our black males there are athletes to meet those
there are athletes to meet those
there are athletes to meet those expectations because when you set low
expectations because when you set low
expectations because when you set low expectations the stereotype threat
expectations the stereotype threat
expectations the stereotype threat theory suggests that when you said oh
theory suggests that when you said oh
theory suggests that when you said oh it’s some people are going to meet that
it’s some people are going to meet that
it’s some people are going to meet that goal but other research suggests when
goal but other research suggests when
goal but other research suggests when you raise it high enough and you equip
you raise it high enough and you equip
you raise it high enough and you equip people to meet that expectation they
people to meet that expectation they
people to meet that expectation they won’t meet it every single time we’ve
won’t meet it every single time we’ve
won’t meet it every single time we’ve got to set high expectations for our
got to set high expectations for our
got to set high expectations for our student athletes we gotta set high
student athletes we gotta set high
student athletes we gotta set high expectations for ourselves as
expectations for ourselves as
expectations for ourselves as individuals that we’re not going to be
individuals that we’re not going to be
individuals that we’re not going to be biased that were not going to be racist
biased that were not going to be racist
biased that were not going to be racist that we’re not going to project
that we’re not going to project
that we’re not going to project stereotypes because if we set that
stereotypes because if we set that
stereotypes because if we set that expectation and me
expectation and me
expectation and me we’re going to convert it but then we’ve
we’re going to convert it but then we’ve
we’re going to convert it but then we’ve got to provide holistic resources and
got to provide holistic resources and
got to provide holistic resources and safe spaces because the thing that kept
safe spaces because the thing that kept
safe spaces because the thing that kept coming up with my participants was that
coming up with my participants was that
coming up with my participants was that they were thrilled at the opportunity to
they were thrilled at the opportunity to
they were thrilled at the opportunity to share what it was like to be them too
share what it was like to be them too
share what it was like to be them too many times in research we talked to
many times in research we talked to
many times in research we talked to people and we don’t do anything with the
people and we don’t do anything with the
people and we don’t do anything with the schools we survey the heck out of our
schools we survey the heck out of our
schools we survey the heck out of our students what do we do with that
students what do we do with that
students what do we do with that information
information
information when do the students hear back from the
when do the students hear back from the
when do the students hear back from the institutions about what we’re doing with
institutions about what we’re doing with
institutions about what we’re doing with our surveys we need to provide a space
our surveys we need to provide a space
our surveys we need to provide a space for our athletes to talk about what’s
for our athletes to talk about what’s
for our athletes to talk about what’s going on in the world because guess what
going on in the world because guess what
going on in the world because guess what the majority of our football teams and
the majority of our football teams and
the majority of our football teams and basketball teams consist of
basketball teams consist of
basketball teams consist of african-american males everybody on that
african-american males everybody on that
african-american males everybody on that team ain’t going to agree what’s going
team ain’t going to agree what’s going
team ain’t going to agree what’s going on politically but they can’t take to
on politically but they can’t take to
on politically but they can’t take to Twitter like the normal student because
Twitter like the normal student because
Twitter like the normal student because if I’m the star quarterback and I tweet
if I’m the star quarterback and I tweet
if I’m the star quarterback and I tweet one day wrong
one day wrong
one day wrong it gets magnified and it’s on
it gets magnified and it’s on
it gets magnified and it’s on SportsCenter or don’t see anything or I
SportsCenter or don’t see anything or I
SportsCenter or don’t see anything or I lose my scholarship I need our players
lose my scholarship I need our players
lose my scholarship I need our players needed space to say I don’t like what’s
needed space to say I don’t like what’s
needed space to say I don’t like what’s going on blue if I want to protest we
going on blue if I want to protest we
going on blue if I want to protest we need to give them the right to do that
need to give them the right to do that
need to give them the right to do that but we often don’t and so we think about
but we often don’t and so we think about
but we often don’t and so we think about this if we think about the narrative
this if we think about the narrative
this if we think about the narrative that we perpetuate or the mindset that
that we perpetuate or the mindset that
that we perpetuate or the mindset that we continue to push if we think about
we continue to push if we think about
we continue to push if we think about those things in a more realistic in
those things in a more realistic in
those things in a more realistic in holistic way than I think that what
holistic way than I think that what
holistic way than I think that what we’ll find is that we can change our
we’ll find is that we can change our
we’ll find is that we can change our schools and only can we change our
schools and only can we change our
schools and only can we change our schools when you change our cities then
schools when you change our cities then
schools when you change our cities then we can change our state’s
we can change our state’s
we can change our state’s to change our country and of course just
to change our country and of course just
to change our country and of course just like a good ol ACU we can change the
like a good ol ACU we can change the
like a good ol ACU we can change the world
world
world thank you very much
thank you very much
thank you very much [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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