ETHS Athletes 'Take A Knee' Together Before Matches

EVANSTON, IL — Evanston Township High School student athletes made a unified statement before matches against New Trier High School this week. First the ETHS girls volleyball team took a knee together before their match Tuesday. Then the entire Wildkits football team, marching band and cheerleading squad knelt before the prior Thursday night's game against the Trevians.

Images of the volleyball team kneeling together were spread widely on social media after the entire squad dropped to one knee in unison.

Such protests have generated intense interest in the past week following President Donald Trump's explicit encouragement for protesting football players to be fired last Friday.

Before the Sept. 28 game at Lazier Field, ETHS Superintendent Eric Witherspoon, joined by Principal and Assistant Superintendent Marcus Campbell, read a prepared statement broadcast over the public address system prior to the playing of the national anthem, which which was preceded by a moment of silence. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Evanston — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Full text of letter to parents and pre-game statement from Evanston Township High School Superintendent Eric Witherspoon:

At Evanston Township High School, we teach civic education so our students have a fundamental understanding of our democracy and citizenship in a free society. We teach our students about our system of government and the Constitution of the United States. They learn that they live in a country where freedom of speech, freedom of expression, is valued and protected, and that they can express their own opinions and ideas without fear of government retaliation or societal sanction.

Students of Evanston Township High School have the right of free expression and association and the privacy of one’s own thoughts and opinions. If a student chooses to remain seated or kneel during the National Anthem, our existing practice allows students to express their First Amendment right to free speech so long as it does not significantly disrupt the learning environment.

Together, with these rights, ETHS students also have certain responsibilities, including the responsibility to participate at school in creating change or getting involved in topics that affect them. At tonight’s varsity football game, I shared the following statement prior to the playing of our National Anthem, which included words from our students about issues that have impacted them and provide context for their recent decisions to express their First Amendment rights.

Our students are on their life journeys as they learn and grow into informed, productive citizens who will continue throughout their lifetimes to enhance our nation, strengthen our democracy, and make this world a better place. These are our future leaders and the future looks bright.

Sincerely,

Eric Witherspoon, Ph.D.
Superintendent

Good evening. Many of our students have expressed their personal feelings, fears and anxiety about recent events across our nation, events vividly underscoring that people have suffered, been hurt and died in our country due to hatred, racism, bigotry and ignorance. Tonight I am sharing my statement and the thoughts of our ETHS students who have had a vital role in preparing this statement. Much of this message is their voice combined with my voice, and I thank them for their leadership on these issues that are so important to us all.

At Evanston Township High School, we are a family of learners, people of all races and of many cultures, languages and traditions, who support social and racial justice. We strive daily to create a safe environment at our school and communicate our anti-racist beliefs and democratic principles where we embrace the ideals of justice and equity for all.

Recently, we have seen an overwhelming amount of Americans taking a stance on racial injustices happening throughout our country. Many Americans have used their platform to bring the conversation on race in America to the forefront. While many have confronted these issues, it is critical that we continue the conversation. We must work as a community to combat systems of oppression aimed at our Black, Latino, Muslim, Refugee, Immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities. America was founded on the ideals that promise life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to everyone. It is imperative that we work to make sure that promise is fulfilled. We must continue to fight for equality. We must continue to love. We must continue to speak out on injustices wherever they exist.

Tonight, we ask you to join us and our entire ETHS family as we reflect on and support those and their loved ones who have been discriminated against and victimized by micro-aggressions, hate speech, violence, bigotry, racism or any other forms of profiling, stereotyping or hatred. Please, together, let’s pause for a moment of silence.

(moment of silence)

Thank you. And now, would you please stand for our national anthem.

Evanston football coach Mike Burzawa said he was pleased with the way Witherspoon and Campbell handled the situation.

"They both handled everything first-class with all our athletic events today," he told the Evanston Review.

One New Trier athlete also took a knee prior to the football game. NTHS Coach Brian Doll said the team's staff backed his player's ability to make their own decision.

"We've talked about it all week. We've talked about it all year," Doll told the paper. "It's one of those things where we're supportive of him. He's a great kid, he plays for us and does a great job on the field and off the field."

See more photos from the game from Lynn Trautmann of LTphoto Evanston

Top photo: ETHS volleyball and football teams take a knee in protest | Credit: Lynn Trautmann, LTPhoto Evanston)