MSU reacts to current events in nation

No city or state has been immune to the latest current events in America immediately following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn.

There has been public outcry across the country for justice and solidarity from social media comments to protests and even riots in cities across the United States.

Mississippi State administrators, players and coaches are shared their own statements over the weekend.

John Cohen, the athletic director of the Bulldogs, was the first notable person to officially release a statement within the university. The former MSU player and coach is serving in his fourth year as the school’s AD.

“As I continue trying to process the events that have occurred in our country and the senseless loss of lives, racial violence and social injustice, it has been difficult to put emotions into words,” Cohen said. “I cannot presume to know the pain that the African American community is feeling, but I know it’s real. Everyone deserves to be treated equally and feel safe. We must find a way to bring people together through thoughtful, meaningful and positive change. We must do our part to ensure voices are heard and support is provided.”

MSU President Mark Keenum also released a statement on Sunday afternoon as he spoke for the entire university about the current events.

“Racism, violence, and injustice are realities that have afflicted our past as a nation and regretfully still threaten our country’s future,” Keenum said. “Few struggle more deeply with those burdens than young Americans preparing themselves to be tomorrow’s leaders. As our university family processes the painful recent events that have stunned the nation, I challenge all of us to hold fast to MSU’S core values of diversity, inclusion, tolerance and respect for others and to strive together to assure that those values do not waver or change.”

New football coach Mike Leach was at the forefront of race discussion a couple of months ago when he tweeted a meme of an older woman holding a noose which drew scrutiny nationally, even among current players. Leach publicly apologized for the tweet and stated he had no intentions of being offensive. Since that tweet on April 2, he has tweeted just twice.

The second of those tweets came on Sunday when Leach tweeted a Martin Luther King Jr. quote. “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other,” the quote said.

Mccray-penson is one of just two African American head coaches currently on campus joining track and field’s Chris Woods. Mccraypenson’s thoughts came from a much different perspective than most on campus to this point as a coach, but also as a mother.

“I woke up this morning with a heavy heart,” Mccraypenson said. “As an American, let alone a human being, there is no place in our world for racism and violence. This is not okay. There is no excuse. “As a coach and leader of an incredibly talented group of young women, I will fight for them and provide endless support to them as they navigate life. As a mom of a young black son, I am in constant prayer for protection over him. Praying to God for healing for our nation and praying for those families for the senseless lives that have been lost.”

From a player’s perspective, senior defensive end Kobe Jones spoke up on Sunday on the recent protests and riots that have occurred across the country.

Jones, a Starkville native, is entering his final year of eligibility as a fifth-year senior with his biggest role of his career coming up.

“If it’s not love, it’s not right. Simple,” an excerpt of Jones’ note said. “What ‘neutral’ people fail to realize is that people sacrificing their lives to protest a cause bigger than themselves is a sing of love regardless of the situations. Nevertheless, the people who are doing it with the wrong intent are a product of their environment, so I understand.”

Floyd died last Monday after officer Derek Chauvin was caught on camera with his knee on Floyd’s neck. Floyd was being arrested after being suspected for passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. Floyd was pronounced dead at a local medical center after he became unresponsive at the scene with Chauvin’s knee on his neck.

Chauvin was arrested on Friday and charged with thirddegree murder and manslaughter. Still, protests and public outcry continues. Meanwhile, MSU is joining many schools nationwide in standing behind people of color.

“Together we can make a difference,” Cohen said. “Together we can be a part of a solution. Together we are stronger.”