In Racine, Wisconsin, a heartwarming gathering took place on Friday, April 26 as students and police officers joined together on the basketball court to demonstrate their support for crime victims. “Bigger Than Basketball,” an annual event in honour of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, attracted numerous spectators to Jergstad-Agerholm School.
The event, organised by Voices of Black Mothers United, sought to establish an inclusive and supportive environment for members of the community who have been impacted by crime. Lead organiser, Nakeyda Hamer, stressed the significance of uniting in the face of adversity. “There are members here who have lost their children, who have lost their loved ones, and so we welcome everyone in to stand united with us,” she said.
Bigger Than Basketball provided a unique opportunity for local students to collaborate with officers from various police departments. According to Hamer, the event served as a way for young people to contribute to the solution in their community, highlighting the role they play as the future leaders of tomorrow. “It’s also inviting our young people to be a solution to the problems we’re having in our community, because ultimately, they’re our future,” Hamer explained.
For patrol officer Gabrielle Hood of the Racine Police Department, the event served as an important means of building connections within the community. “This is just another way for us to connect in the community we work in, and it’s awesome,” Hood said. “It’s really important to understand for them, that they can come to us, and that we’re on their side to help them out.”
Bigger Than Basketball not only promotes unity and solidarity, but also aims to shift the narrative away from the “us against them” mentality. “It’s just changing that narrative where we’re not talking about the us against them,” Hamer said. “It’s all of us in our community, and all of us have a role.”
The heartwarming event truly showcased the power of community and the tremendous impact that can be made when individuals come together to support one another. As we reflect on the inspiring display of unity, it serves as a powerful reminder that, regardless of our background or profession, we all have a part to play in creating a safer and more compassionate society.