To protest systemic racism, Black student-athletes enrolled in Division I (D-I) institutions should transfer to historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs), said Mo Williams, who was named head coach of the men’s basketball program at Alabama State University, a historically Black institution, last month.
In tweets following the death of George Floyd in police custody, Williams said it isn’t enough to just talk about change; change must be made. He also used the hashtag #hbcuonly. Williams played with seven National Basketball Association (NBA) teams during a 13-year career playing point guard in the NBA.
“Silent protest, pull your kids out of these D-1 schools and enroll them in a HBCU. We talking about change. Don’t talk about it, be about it. I’m at Alabama State and can do exactly what they can and more for your son. Point blank period … ,” Williams said.
“Power 5 conferences is only power 5 because we give them the power. Let’s not talk about it, be about it. We can actually make a real change. #hbcuonly,” Williams said.
Power 5 refers to the top tier of intercollegiate athletics competition.
As HBCUBuzz explained it, historically Black colleges are not able to attract top Black student-athletes. These top athletes tend to go to D-I colleges that are predominantly White institutions (PWIs) which provide a better route to professional sports leagues. In doing so, they boost PWIs, at many of which historically racial inequities persist.
Over the years, others have made arguments similar to Williams’.
