I’m noticing a trend, and it bothers me! Have you ever noticed that most team pictures viewed on social media always have minorities towards the end or in the back row? Or, if there is more than one minority on the team, they are always standing or sitting together. Have you visually seen minorities on a team appearing to be outcasts or off to their selves? Why is it harder for minorities to transition onto a new team and feel as if they belong, especially when the majority of the team is of the white persuasion?
When transitioning to a competitive team of skillful players, everyone has to prove they belong… just like Corporate America, minorities have to work harder to prove their worth, while still feeling like an outcast. I’ve come to accept and deal with the obstacles that we as minorities face in corporate America, but It eats me up inside to witness our kids being excluded on a team, in a group, etc., especially when we know that they belong there just as much as the next kid. How do you handle this? I think everyone has to be intentional…I’ve had intentional discussions with team parents about building relationships amongst the kids. Relationship building helps players get to know and trust each other both on and off the field, which produces a better performing team.
When I was team manager of a very diverse team with less than a few white kids, I was very intentional about making the transition easy for both the parents and the player. The coach, players and parents went out of their way to make the new player and their families feel welcome. Whenever a new kid came to try out our team, the players stood in a circle and each introduced themselves, which not only helped them learn each other’s names, but made the new kid feel welcomed and more at ease.
Some players and or families feel that they don’t have to be liked or need to engage with the team members or their families…but in my opinion, that’s not a good approach. We should want our children to feel excited, comfortable and included when around their teammates, especially since they have to spend many hours training and competing together. I don’t know…I’m a big advocate of inclusion, so maybe it doesn’t bother you as much...
Have you or your child experienced this? If so, please provide some pointers as to how you or your child has overcome this and made the transition process easier. WE ALL BELONG! Leave your comments here.