With the backdrop of the iconic Tommie Smith-John Carlos statue in the background, several hundred San Jose State University student-athletes gathered to express their solidarity for Black Lives Matter and hear they can be agents for change in their lifetime.
These Spartans demonstrated their solidarity with a purposeful and peaceful walk through the university's main campus to nearby city hall in downtown San Jose and back to the Smith-Carlos statue that highlights the importance of human rights and the injustice and inequality facing Black America.
"These issues matter. They matter to us. They matter to our nation and they matter to our university," said Christian Webb, a linebacker on the football team and a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in communication studies. Webb is serving an internship to the executive director at the African American Community Service Agency that provides cultural and social services to perpetuate and strengthen African American identity and family life in Santa Clara County.
Following the Spartans return to the Smith-Carlos statue, defensive back Andrew Jenkins, a two-time San Jose State University President's Scholar and a 2020 Arthur Ashe, Jr., Sports Scholar characterized these peaceful demonstrations and marches are building blocks for change.
"This walk is to support Black Lives Matter and end police brutality. No one deserves to go out there and worry. No one should be worried about their brothers, their sisters, their Mom, cousins, none of that," said Jenkins.
Men's basketball player Caleb Simmons acknowledged a glass ceiling and systemic racism facing the Black community.
"What matters is we are acknowledging the problem that we are not treated equal," said Simmons, a kinesiology major. "…Impact somebody's life. Use your voice. Individuals affect change. All of you affect change. We don't have to wait for the next Martin Luther King. He's right here. All of you can be that."
Simmons also voiced the need to vote. On August 18, the San Jose State University Athletics Department announced there would be no intercollegiate athletically-related activities on November 3, 2020 so all student-athletes, coaches, and staff can focus on participating in the general election.
"We need to vote. We need to understand the power of voting - using our voice, standing up when it matters," added Simmons.
"I think today was successful in accomplishing different forms of what activism actually is. I think our next step is getting more involved like having workshops within each team, with staff, and facilitating these conversations whether or not they are comfortable," said Karlee Pottorff, a 2019 second-team All-Mountain West women's soccer player and 2020 San Jose State University Dean's Scholar.