Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now
Protests at community parks, in front of government buildings and on city streets aren’t the only places in Southern California that young people are expressing their feelings about the death of George Floyd, racism and equality in America.
Some of Orange County’s most well-known high school athletes have made their voices heard on social media since Floyd died at the hands of police in Minneapolis on May 25.
Rosary point guard Asia Avinger, the Register’s player of the year in girls basketball for 2019-20, has been among the most vocal on her Instagram account.
The San Diego State signee recently shared with her more than 10,000 followers a video of a young girl tearfully saying, “I could die from the color of my skin.”
Avinger found the video on TikTok, a video sharing service, and said it “hit me hard.”
“There is so much hate in the world that we live in and it’s so horrific that even children are starting to understand how cruel the real world is,” she wrote on the post that included the hashtag BLACKLIVESMATTER.
“There is so much hurt, pain and anger that we are feeling due to discrimination and racism.
“It shouldn’t matter the color of our skin, we should be treated with respect and equality. … We need CHANGE and I pray everyday that things get better.”
Mater Dei point guard Devin Askew, the Register’s boys basketball player of the year this past season, posted a photo this week that looked like himself in a shirt that read, “I Can’t Breathe,” a rallying crying at many protests for Floyd.
Floyd’s death, while in police custody, has sparked nationwide unrest and protests across the country.
“We are all equal!” the Kentucky-bound Askew wrote to his more than 78,000 followers on Instagram. “We are one! Together we fight for what is right.”
Western All-County wide receiver/cornerback Caine Savage also encouraged unity in a post on Instagram on Wednesday.
“We are BLACK MEN! We build. We don’t tear down other BLACK MEN!” the Utah signee wrote to his more than 3,000 followers. “All too often, we men find it easier to criticize each other instead of building each other up. With all the negativity going around, let’s do something positive!”
Canyon All-County softball pitcher Kylee Magee shared on her Instagram stories a quote from UCLA softball outfielder Aaliyah Jordan posted to a Pac-12 Conference social media account.
“My blackness is not a joke and not something that will be ignored. If you can’t see that then there’s a problem,” the quote read from the former Corona Angels travel ball standout.
Numerous Orange County athletes, including New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (San Clemente), posted black screens to their Instagram accounts on Tuesday as part of #BlackOutTuesday, a social media trend and sign of solidarity against police brutality against African Americans.
Mater Dei wide receiver and Oregon commit Kyron Ware-Hudson posted a video to his Instagram stories of a peaceful protest in front of police and a quote from Colorado Rockies baseball player Ian Desmond.
“When you can’t say, ‘Black Lives Matter’ … To me, that’s you saying my life doesn’t matter. That’s what I hear and I can’t change that,” the quote from Desmond read.
Avinger said she is “glad everyone is coming together” but a lot of work remains.
“Being black in America is being treated like a crime itself,” she said. “We need change and growth in our society.”
