Kent State University Athletes Promote Social Justice

Kent State University athletes are joining those in the professional ranks promoting social justice. The University’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has adopted a slogan for this year: “Together We Change.”

Committee President Nasha Manitkul-Davis is a gymnast of Black, white and Asian ancestry. Over the weekend, she painted the slogan on The Rock at the front of Kent’s campus.

Manitkul-Davis on The Rock and social justice

“As student athletes, we are given more opportunities to spread unity. And I feel like we have to use that. And if we don’t, then nothing will change as fast," she said.

Manitkul-Davis worked with teammate Toshi Richard to paint The Rock, and they both acknowledge that it could always be painted over soon. As of Sunday evening, the message was still there.

Kent State supports the “Together We Change” message. On Friday, it quickly painted over a previous message on the rock which read, “ White Lives Matter.” University officials called the graffiti “insulting” to the black community and “unconstructive.”

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