Redskins HC Ron Rivera makes statement on race relations

For a long time, sports have served as an escape for many, from the tense, tribal political conflict which ensnares the nation in perpetuity.

Now, in the wake of an incident which has sent a shockwave throughout the nation, sports has ceased to be an escape, and is now a microphone for those who have the platform and volition to voice their thoughts on social issues plaguing the United States today.

Ahead of his Zoom press conference on Wednesday, Washington Redskins head coach Ron Rivera joined the chorus of players and coaches coming together to fight for improved race relations and continued reform, and released a statement on the death of George Floyd, and the implications of the event. You can view the statement in its entirety here. Below, the opening portion of Rivera’s statement is transcribed:

"A little over two weeks ago, a man sworn to protect our community murdered George Floyd in the streets of Minneapolis. This act of pure violence and hate sparked massive protests across the country, and people everywhere banded together in solidarity for the black community.Right here in our own backyard, the nation’s capital — Washington, D.C. — there were massive protests as well. A demonstration outside of the White House… was even turned into a Black Lives Matter plaza.I was proud of what the community was doing, as they joined together to condemn these social issues that have faced us far too long. I was especially proud of a couple of our younger players — Dwayne Haskins and Chase Young.Dwayne headed into D.C. this past weekend to take part in a protest and gain a better understanding of how he can make a difference. Chase took part in a ‘Call to Action’ video that some of the top players in our league created last week. Their message was powerful, and one that every fan in the league should support."

Rivera went on to detail an internal plan enacted by the Redskins organization, to promote discussion and heightened understanding amidst the country’s social turmoil. Rivera announced the institution of a town hall program led by Doug Williams, Malcolm Blacken, and Jennifer King, among others, designed to help employees share experiences and learn from one another, as well as the formation of the Redskins Black Engagement Network, which will serve as a module through which the team can strengthen its commitment to black employees.

Rivera also fielded a question on whether or not he would support players kneeling for the national anthem. Rivera, who had two military parents, said that he understands what the purpose of the kneeling is, and went on to assert that the Constitution supports the players’ right to protest peacefully, a right Rivera says the military has fought to preserve.

Rivera concluded his statement by saying this, per John Keim of ESPN:

"These past two weeks have been a mix of emotions for myself. I’m saddened by how hurt the black community is by what has transpired. I’m also proud of everyone who’s on the right side of the fight against social injustice. I am here to help any way I can in making a difference. Black lives do matter. We cannot be afraid to say it, so I’ll say it again: Black lives do matter.Because of how long the peaceful protests have gone on, real change is within our grasp."

Rivera’s statement comes in a confusing and difficult time, in which staying silent is becoming less and less of an option, but issues of limited perception prevent constructive discussions from taking place. Amidst clashes of opinion, there is a mutual rush to judge, generalize, and ultimately antagonize different groups of people, and this climate erodes from communal empathy and growth.

The root of the problem is not absolute, but instead complex, and Rivera hopes to unearth those complexities by gleaning insight from people who have experienced first-hand the issues that are gaining so much attention. It’s important for people who have valuable perspectives to speak, and it’s important for people who have intrinsically limited perceptions to listen, open their minds, and attempt to understand the plight of others. These kinds of processes can help toward facilitating constructive discussion and change, and Rivera has become active in pursuing that result.