Do you think racism has vanished in America? That after electing a Black President twice, we all joined together, singing “Kumbaya,” and agreed to judge individuals by their character rather than their skin color? Think again.
Maya Johnson from Midland, Michigan, is painfully aware of the reality. She’s a standout kicker for the Dow football team, currently competing fiercely against Midland and holding an impressive 8-1 record this season. This year, Maya stepped onto the football field for the first time as the placekicker, successfully converting 29 out of 31 extra points in Saginaw League games, the best performance in the league.
As a high school senior, Maya is the first girl to play varsity football in her town for either Dow or rival Midland. With both her older and younger brothers having played for the Chargers, she’s driven by “a desire to try new things and challenge the norm.” Her coach commended her talent, stating, “She’s the best kicker in the program and one of the finest we’ve had in years.”
Maya isn’t just a football star; she also leads two traveling soccer teams. Her busy schedule includes soccer practice on Monday and Tuesday, football on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by Friday night games, and soccer matches over the weekend. With no days off, she’s truly dedicated to her sports. This hard work has earned her a partial soccer scholarship to Northwood University, along with an academic scholarship due to her solid 3.2 GPA. She’s the quintessential high school overachiever with exceptional football skills.
Unfortunately, Maya isn’t shielded from racism. Recently, during a Midland-Dow football game, an Instagram user named lauren.smith posted a picture with a friend dressed in a gorilla suit, captioned, “got a pic with Dow’s kicker ;)”. The individual in the gorilla suit wore Midland-blue shorts, and it remains unclear if it was intended as a jab at Maya or just a teenage stunt. When Shaun King highlighted the incident, it had garnered only eight likes before being deleted, and no disciplinary actions have been taken yet.
Maya is a dedicated student who deserves recognition for both her academic and athletic achievements. Yet, hateful racism rears its ugly head, often invoking outdated and offensive associations that suggest Black individuals are physically superior yet intellectually inferior. Such beliefs are utterly reprehensible.
When Maya joined the football team, she was embraced as a true team member. Her coach emphasized that she’s not just “Maya, the girl kicker,” but “Maya, a valued part of the team.” She expressed that many of her teammates have been friends since childhood, and she feels supported by the community.
It’s worth noting that while it may be easier for a girl to be accepted on an all-male football team, successful Black girls like Maya often face the harsh reality of deep-rooted racism. Racism persists in America, thriving in small towns and cities alike. If you’re skeptical, just think of Maya Johnson.
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Summary:
Maya Johnson, a talented kicker from Midland, Michigan, is facing racial prejudice despite her impressive achievements in football and academics. As the first girl to play varsity football in her town, she has excelled on the field but recently became the target of a racist attack on social media. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of racism in America, reminding us that it is still very much present in our society.