Here we are, deep into another season of college football, and everyone is riding with their favorite squad. And that’s to be expected. People are always going to root for “their” team, be it their alma mater or merely the team they’ve always “rocked” with, for whatever reason.
But what happens when you’re watching a college game (football, basketball, softball, etc.), and “your” team isn’t playing? How do you choose which school to root for and which one you hope gets beat so bad they choose to never play again? And how do you do everything possible to keep your powerful and divine Black energy from backing schools that have no love or respect for your Black ass?
My people, never fear. Here’s a step-by-step guide for making sure your fandom is always Black Card-approved.
Rule 1: Racist history? Nah
If one of the two teams celebrates their racist history (has a Confederate flag as part of their state flag, has a mascot like a slave-owning southern “gentleman,” etc.), root for the other team. Period.
Rule 2: Cultural appropriation no-go
If one of the teams has a tradition of their fans performing indigenous American “tomahawk chops” or chanting sounds that mimic what they believe are indigenous American chants, root for the other team. I’m looking at you, Florida State. This rule applies to pro teams, too. Sorry-not-sorry, Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Chiefs.
Rule 3: Bar states with active political anti-Blackness
If one of the schools resides in a state where the head coach, school administrators, and/or elected officials actively vote to suppress Black votes, strip rights away from Black people, and/or direct any and all manner of harm against Black people, root for the other team.
Rule 4: The Black QB and/or head coach exemption
If a football team has a Black starting QB and/or a Black head coach, root for them—unless that team also falls under the “don’t root for” rules already mentioned.
Rule 5: The FUBU rule
If both teams have Black starting QBs and/or Black head coaches, choose the team from a state that supports voting rights, DEI, and the rights of Black people.
Rule 6: History of standing for Blackfolk
All things being equal, choose the team from a school with a history of taking stands for Black people. For example, Jesse Owens was a student at THE Ohio State University in the 1930s, when most universities refused to admit Black students until 30-plus years later. That school also has a nationally respected African American Studies Department, and is where Dr. Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow, teaches. And UCLA was the school where Jackie Robinson starred as a four-sport star from 1939 to 1941. On the flip side, if you’re watching a game, and one of the schools involved only admitted Black student-athletes after centuries of kicking, screaming, and “klanning” (i.e., the entire SEC) against them, tell that team to kick rocks while you root for a real university.
Rule 7: YOU KNOW!
If an HBCU is going against a PWI, you already know what to do.
Rule 8: Exit, stage Black
If both teams represent schools with equally racist resumes, change the channel and find another game to watch. Those who traffic in anti-Blackness don’t deserve your time, attention, energy, or support.
