According to an article from The New York Times, many black University of Missouri football players have declared that they will boycott football team activities until Timothy Wolfe, the university’s president, resigns.
The events that caused these students to take action involved incidents during which racial slurs were aimed at black students. Students who protested over this weekend claimed that officials failed to respond to racist and intolerant acts. The student protesters’ request was that Wolfe “step down or to be removed,” due to his inability to respond to the string of racist incidents that occurred on campus.
Saturday, the university’s black student government, The Legion of Black Collegians, posted a photo on Twitter of 30 plus members of the football team with a graduate student on hunger strike.
We are no longer taking it. It's time to fight. #ConcernedStudent1950 #MizzouHungerStrike pic.twitter.com/mnPZBviqJF
— LBC (@MizzouLBC) November 8, 2015
Gary Pinkel, head football coach, tweeted a football team photo today, to state support for boycotting players.
The Mizzou Family stands as one. We are united. We are behind our players. #ConcernedStudent1950 GP pic.twitter.com/fMHbPPTTKl
— Coach Gary Pinkel (@GaryPinkel) November 8, 2015
Football players also tweeted to raise awareness about the recent racist events that occurred and ways in which they, with the support of their coaches and teammates, plan to take action.
We love our coaches and we love each other as teammates, we are in this together!
— HeMadeAKing (@1Sherrils_2MIZZ) November 8, 2015
This is JUST not about race. It's about Grad students getting benefits and unity within the athletes and community#ConcernedStudent1950 #GGM
— Clarence Champ Green (@clgreen93mu) November 8, 2015
There is no racial tension between the team and coaches. We are a FAMILY. Just to make that clear.
— Russell Hansbrough (@imthatnike) November 8, 2015
This isn't just about race this about making a change standing up for what's right! #weAreONE #ConcernedStudent1950 pic.twitter.com/NkYai0Kle5
— Trevon Walters ® (@trevon_walters) November 8, 2015
University of Missouri students, along with some others, have also been sending out tweets, since the weekend, regarding the incidents of racism and the boycott, tagging them “#ConcernedStudent1950.”
Nobody should have to tolerate racist hate in their communoty. I stand with the athletes #ConcernedStudent1950
— S. Ornitorrinco (@bonerbeagle) November 8, 2015
Send Wolfe a message that he doesn't get to ignore minority and underrepresented students and keep his job. #ConcernedStudent1950
— Dr. Miranda BAEly (@luvthispayne) November 8, 2015
#ConcernedStudent1950 is so powerful! Love to see the youth fighting for change!
— SameOl'G (@20_6ftclub) November 8, 2015
Look me in my eyes and tell me @UMPrez cares! I dare you. I'm not here for that! Caring is putting forth action. #ConcernedStudent1950
— Mariah Monèt (@Swagg_Queen_Ava) November 8, 2015
It's time to removed ANY leadership figures that do not eradicate systemic racial practices in higher learning. #ConcernedStudent1950
— Кэн Эьанс (@Kerberos2012) November 8, 2015
Makes me proud to see these Mizzou protests – they're a long time coming. Salute to all students/faculty taking part. #ConcernedStudent1950
— Shanelle (@ElysianHue) November 8, 2015
What will critics of #MizzouUnited say? "Quit whining, ignore racism & get out there and make your university richer!" #ConcernedStudent1950
— ChristianChristensen (@ChrChristensen) November 8, 2015
Protestors with #ConcernedStudent1950 setting up more tents at Carnahan Quad. pic.twitter.com/ejJ9Qm7Pni
— Alan Burdziak (@AlanBurdziak) November 8, 2015
