If we’re committed to being anti-racist and not just an ally (yes, there is a nuanced difference) then we have to engage in a conscious effort to unpack our own racism; eliminating the barriers we unconsciously put up when we're made aware that something we've stated, shared or done is racist.
Sports team affiliation, much like political alliance, runs deep and strong within the American psyche. There can be such impassioned fidelity towards it that followers may be left blind to its imperfections.
The difficulty with identifying (and defeating) systemic racism, especially for those of us who are not its intended target, comes from the fact that its existence and implementation -- by design -- is insidious. Its invisibility ensures its longevity.
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