It was announced this week that the Los Angeles Rams and 10 other L.A. sports teams have come together to form The ALLIANCE: Los Angeles, which is a comprehensive five-year commitment to drive investment and impact for social justice through sport in order to pursue change in communities of color and develop meaningful programs.
With everything that has been going on in the country after the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers, the 11 teams will advocate for social justice, address disparities and take actions to help end racial inequality.
Some organizations that the teams will be working with include the Play Equity Fund’s social justice movement in communities across greater Los Angeles and Accelerate Change Together (ACT) Anaheim.
Rams head coach Sean McVay recently commented on the initiative, believing it will be a good opportunity to empower his players and their social justice efforts, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“More than anything, it’s giving them those options and what really resonates with them, because then it feels authentic and genuine,” McVay said during a video conference with coaches and executives Tuesday morning. “And then you’re using this platform for exactly what the intent is, and that’s making a change and having that equity be more representative of everything, not just sports.”
The ALLIANCE: Los Angeles and the Play Equity Fund will hold a Sports for Social Justice Symposium on July 22, to coincide with National Youth Sports Week, which is July 20-24. This webinar will include leaders from the sports organizations, as well as social justice leaders and sports commentators.
What players will be involved remains to be seen, although McVay does not feel they will have to force or encourage players to do so as they are already passionate about the cause:
“We will certainly encourage it, but I think the best part about what we have going with the Rams is so many of our players are passionate, it’s in their hearts to really contribute and make a difference,” McVay said. “This provides an outstanding opportunity to do that with the city of LA and these 10 other organizations on the call through alliance.”
McVay has had multiple conversations with his team on the matter, even educating himself in the process. Those type of conversations, and the action to follow, is exactly what the country needs during this difficult time so it is good to see the Rams continuing to be leaders in that respect.
