Gratitude and Support for BHS Girls Basketball

As many of you are now aware, the Burlington High School Girl’s Basketball program postponed a recently scheduled game against CVU to bring light to a racist video posted online by a CVU athlete. Their leadership in taking this action and meeting with the CVU administration to discuss their concerns regarding the incident and CVU’s response have demonstrated great leadership and courage. Our entire Vermont community owes a debt to these young leaders for their tenacity and resolve in this matter.

The Burlington girl’s basketball team is unique in Vermont in that they are a team of almost entirely Black girls. All too often in our state issues of racism are ignored or treated lightly. However, these girls made sure that would not be the case in this instance. They have navigated years of racism while competing as athletes in Vermont sports, including, but not limited to the fetishization and over-policing of their hair by referees and overt and covert racism by spectators and players from competing schools. It is specifically because of their actions to disrupt complacency and anti-blackness that our greater Vermont community is aware of this situation.

Let’s come together to uplift the Burlington High School girl’s basketball players and show them that their Black lives and Black voices matter. Let’s show them how much we value and appreciate their leadership and fortitude and come together to raise funds to support their program. Burlington girl’s basketball is significantly more under-resourced compared to other Vermont schools and they are without their own home gym, creating challenges such as transportation to and from practices and games.

The girls will determine how exactly the money raised will be spent, but some possibilities include purchasing matching warm-ups, providing game day meals and snacks, support for their continued journey as racial justice leaders, and gathering for team outings. Through this action, you can demonstrate how much you appreciate and stand with these incredible girls, and you would help create equity in their basketball experience.

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This fundraiser is organized by family and friends of the BHS girl’s basketball program. Any questions can be directed to the BSD Head of Athletics at [email redacted].