Howard Women’s Basketball Team To Stay In Locker Room For National Anthem Next Season

The women’s basketball team at Howard University is remaining true to its stance on justice during pregame protocols. For the past six seasons, these HBCU athletes have chosen to kneel during the national anthem. The decision mirrors the famed choice by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick to “take a knee” over police brutality, shared by Know Your Rights Camp. The women athletes will keep the momentum of their kneeling, but will now do so behind closed doors. According to the HBCU’s newspaper, The Hilltop , the school’s athletic department stated the school’s policy on the national anthem. Following a game against the U.S. Army in December, the athletic department implemented a new protocol. The Vice President of Athletics, Kery Davis, emphasized how the update showed “mutual respect” for all communities while maintaining students’ ability to express themselves freely. “There have been thoughtful internal conversations between athletics leadership, coaches and student-athletes regarding pregame protocols,” revealed Davis. “The current approach is about supporting our students’ freedom of expression while upholding mutual respect for all communities.” The new rule requires players to either stand up for the national anthem or stay in the locker room during the song. The team overwhelmingly chose the latter, even while on the road at away games. “We don’t want to bring any bad light to Howard University…