RACIAL EQUITY STATEMENT

On May 25, 2020, the murder of George Floyd ignited more than 400 years of exhaustion, outcry and rightful anger in the Black community. The movement for true and lasting racial justice spread to every corner of the globe and took hold within people of every background, color, religion and belief. People, everywhere, began demanding real change and real healing. For far too long, none of that had happened and communities of color suffered and died at the hands of systemic racism.

For the several weeks following, we reached out to and listened to many members of our family. Like so many in the Black community, they expressed being tired, saddened and frustrated. But also, hopeful and motivated and inspired. We witnessed so many in our family protesting, organizing and advocating, especially our student-athletes and alumni. For the first time in our 10+ year history, it finally felt like the ball began moving in the right direction, the direction of reconciliation and tearing down a culture of both apathy and hate.

To our Bridge Family, we remain ever committed to each of you. To provide resources, a partner to throw to, a platform and perhaps now more than ever, an ally. We have much to learn, unlearn and ultimately, to do, and we hope everyone will be along for the process. We are committed to continuing to promote diversity, equality and inclusion, but to now also actively fight racism, injustice and white supremacy.

Thank you.

#bridgefamily #bridgefamilia

BRIDGE LACROSSE EQUITY ACTION ITEMS

  • Continue annual implicit bias and racial equity training for coaches, with an extension of training to all staff and board members

  • All board members to frequent in-person programming and begin furthering relationships with our student-athletes and families

  • Continue regular conversations around racial equity within Bridge

  • Expand upon of the stories and heroes of BIPOC

  • Provide a platform for student-athletes and families to share their own stories and experiences

  • Continue to hold leagues, officials and lacrosse organizations accountable for actions or words that diminish any member of our organization

  • Foster dialogue between organizations and Bridge, outside of traditional lacrosse competition

  • Expand on the Bridge Bigs program, create more events between HS and youth student-athletes

  • Support all Bridge student-athletes in their right to peacefully protest and advocate