Lynx Players Reflect On
Black History Month
Mark Remme
Wolves Editor/Writer
Email / Twitter
Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore takes a step back to reflect each February. Moore said Black History Month reminds her not only of the opportunities she’s had in her life, but it’s a time to learn more about her own family’s history as well as to look forward to future generations. “Black History Month is such a great reminder to continue to work hard with the gifts I’ve been given,” Moore said. “I have been blessed to have opportunities that were closed to me just a few decades ago. Yet, there is still work to be done in many areas like improving education in the Black communities.”
Members of the Lynx community reflected on what Black History Month means to them—many of the answers ranging from widespread to personal.
For center Taj McWilliams-Franklin, the month represents rising up against struggles.
“It means freedom in a time in our shared history where we can celebrate what we once denigrated,” McWilliams-Franklin said. “It is a time of sharing and reflecting and believing in the goodness that should be in every man, woman and child. It is a moment to say thank you to all those African Americans who couldn’t sit down, couldn’t speak up and couldn’t be heard or seen.”
McWilliams-Franklin said for people across the world, it’s a time to honor peacemakers and peace keepers that fought oppression.
“To understand where you’re going, you must understand where you came from as a people,” McWilliams-Franklin said. “Respect, honor and love!”
Center Jessica Adair said the month comes with mixed emotions. While it allows people to celebrate Black history, she said it should be a more year-round occurrence.
“I am not sure what it actually means, but I do have an opinion on what it should mean,” Adair said. “It should inspire the youth to recognize the more positive role they have played in this country’s foundation. It should also inspire them to fight to have this information presented year-round.”
For Moore, the month simply acts as a yearly reminder of the blessings she has in her life both on and off the court. It’s a call to action to learn more about her past and to look toward the future.
“I like to take the opportunity to learn from older members of my family to just appreciate where I come from, and to remember the great values that have lasted through generations,” Moore said.
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