CHICAGO – Together with the worldwide recognition and celebration of Black Historical past Month, UChicago Athletics can be that includes a number of student-athletes all through February. Within the second installment of this collection, hear from UChicago Softball’s Laila Sims as she discusses her experiences in a Q & A format.
Sims is a second-year outfielder from Suwanee, Ga. and earned NFCA Scholar Athlete All-American honors in 2022. She performed in 28 video games and began 18 and was second on the staff with 13 steals.
What does Black Historical past imply to you?
Black Historical past Month is a time to rejoice how far we now have come by remembering our historical past and recognizing the influence our achievements have had worldwide. On the identical time, it serves as a reminder of the work that also must be executed to proceed uplifting the black group.
What are a few of the struggles you’ve confronted through the years as an African-American?
Rising up in a predominantly white group, I struggled with attempting to interrupt out of the packing containers individuals put me in primarily based on my pores and skin colour. Over time, I started to just accept that black individuals are not a monolith. Now we have various backgrounds and pursuits, and we aren’t outlined by the labels that society has placed on us. As I grew to become extra snug doing the issues that I liked, I additionally grew to become extra snug with my blackness and commenced to really feel much more linked with the black group.
As we rejoice Black Historical past Month, do you’ve a favourite Black historic determine who evokes you?
Certainly one of my favourite black historic figures is Muhammad Ali, and I’m really named after his daughter, Laila Ali. I’m impressed by how he was not afraid to face up for what he believed in regardless of the results he could face.
Do you assume athletes ought to use their platforms to handle social points?
Sure, I believe that athletes ought to completely use their platforms to handle social points, not solely as athletes, but additionally as college students, mates, members of the family, and so on. Typically, the best change is that which extends over the shortest distance. The change which we will encourage in these round us, even when solely in a small group at first, can propagate to others and drive higher outcomes.
