In “Shattering Stereotypes,” Diverse senior writer David Pluviose profiles Matthews, a senior track and field athlete at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, who discusses the inherent conflict that many Black males feel about being a good student versus being a good athlete. It troubles him that so many young men feel like the two are mutually exclusive.
“It’s something you face just because of the social construction of our nation and even the world,” says Matthews, who maintains a cumulative 3.88 GPA in mechanical engineering. “There are more Black doctors than there are basketball players, but you don’t see the image that ‘OK, you should go be doctors.’ You see the image of ‘You make quick money’ playing basketball.”
Also in our feature lineup, doing away with American Indian mascots has generated lots of media attention over the past few years. Contributing editor Mary Annette Pember reports on how money, power and influence play a significant role in decisions regarding the use of these symbols in “Farewell to the Chief.” In “The Other Club Scene,” correspondent Noah Davis reports on how club sports bring together students from diverse backgrounds to participate in a shared passion, from marathon running to yoga. And editorial sports assistant Frank J. Matthews conducts a Q&A with Bill Lester, the first Black driver to race in NASCAR’s top stock car series in 20 years.
Hilary Hurd Anyaso
Editor
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