Football player Joshua Long speaks to one of the groups assembled at Friday's March for Social Justice.
Samford University Hosts March For Social Justice
10.30.20 | Baseball, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, Cross Country, Track and Field
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford University hosted a March for Social Justice around campus Friday afternoon to raise awareness of social injustice issues that persist in our country today.
Approximately 250 students, faculty, staff, trustees and friends of Samford participated in the march. The 250 individuals were broken up into four groups to allow for social distancing. The groups walked to four different areas on campus, with speakers set up at each spot.
JeNorri Armstead, Samford's Director of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives for Athletics, said the event was an important one for the entire Samford University campus.
"It just means a lot to see the community come together," Armstead said. "The student-athletes, the students, the faculty, the staff and the trustees coming to support this event is just awesome for us. They have all just come together in unity."
The four speakers were Dr. Annalise DeVries from the history department, Cameron Thomas, football player and Black Student Union representative Justin Hayes, and student-athletes and Athletics Council for Equality representatives Nelson Jordan (football), Joshua Long (football), Armond Lloyd (football) and Morayo Bhadmos (track and field).
Each of the speakers told the assembled crowds about their experiences with social injustice and how it has affected them personally. In addition to his talk, Jordan blessed the crowd with the singing of Glory by John Legend. Jordan said he felt blessed to be able to be a part of the event.
"It's honestly a privilege," Jordan said. "I'm super honored and it's just been beautiful to be around the people and to learn so much, because I've truly learned more being a part of this than anything. I'm just grateful to be a part of it."
Dr. DeVries said she was asked by some of her students to speak at the event. She said she hoped that the march was a meaningful event, especially for the students involved.
"Honestly, I considered it a real honor to be asked by the students, and I didn't want to let them down," DeVries said. "I hope that this sets a precedence of doing right by all of our students in a way that is meaningful. I hope the students feel heard and that their priorities are met."
Jordan said he hopes their message will be one of unity and not one that would create more division.
"I hope people understand, most of all, that, we're not trying to put Black lives above other lives, we're just trying to say that Black people have been oppressed for years and years now and that we just want equality for all," Jordan said. "We have to pay attention to the people that are being oppressed and try to help those people out. I just pray that people understand that we need their support in this movement, that we need their love."
Armstead said she was excited about the turnout for the march. She said she hopes people understand, though, that this is something that needs to be continued in the days and years to come.
"I just want people to really listen to what the speakers are saying," Armstead said. "I want them to understand that this is not a one-time thing, that this is an on-going event that has to take place daily in our hearts. It's in the way we treat people, the way we act. It just has to be the first thing in our minds, a daily change of heart."
Approximately 250 students, faculty, staff, trustees and friends of Samford participated in the march. The 250 individuals were broken up into four groups to allow for social distancing. The groups walked to four different areas on campus, with speakers set up at each spot.
JeNorri Armstead, Samford's Director of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives for Athletics, said the event was an important one for the entire Samford University campus.
"It just means a lot to see the community come together," Armstead said. "The student-athletes, the students, the faculty, the staff and the trustees coming to support this event is just awesome for us. They have all just come together in unity."
The four speakers were Dr. Annalise DeVries from the history department, Cameron Thomas, football player and Black Student Union representative Justin Hayes, and student-athletes and Athletics Council for Equality representatives Nelson Jordan (football), Joshua Long (football), Armond Lloyd (football) and Morayo Bhadmos (track and field).
Each of the speakers told the assembled crowds about their experiences with social injustice and how it has affected them personally. In addition to his talk, Jordan blessed the crowd with the singing of Glory by John Legend. Jordan said he felt blessed to be able to be a part of the event.
"It's honestly a privilege," Jordan said. "I'm super honored and it's just been beautiful to be around the people and to learn so much, because I've truly learned more being a part of this than anything. I'm just grateful to be a part of it."
Dr. DeVries said she was asked by some of her students to speak at the event. She said she hoped that the march was a meaningful event, especially for the students involved.
"Honestly, I considered it a real honor to be asked by the students, and I didn't want to let them down," DeVries said. "I hope that this sets a precedence of doing right by all of our students in a way that is meaningful. I hope the students feel heard and that their priorities are met."
Jordan said he hopes their message will be one of unity and not one that would create more division.
"I hope people understand, most of all, that, we're not trying to put Black lives above other lives, we're just trying to say that Black people have been oppressed for years and years now and that we just want equality for all," Jordan said. "We have to pay attention to the people that are being oppressed and try to help those people out. I just pray that people understand that we need their support in this movement, that we need their love."
Armstead said she was excited about the turnout for the march. She said she hopes people understand, though, that this is something that needs to be continued in the days and years to come.
"I just want people to really listen to what the speakers are saying," Armstead said. "I want them to understand that this is not a one-time thing, that this is an on-going event that has to take place daily in our hearts. It's in the way we treat people, the way we act. It just has to be the first thing in our minds, a daily change of heart."
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballMonday, September 14
Sunday, September 13
Monday, September 07
Friday, September 04
