Kiki Stokes stands up for black lives

By: Zach Draves

Childish Gambino’s lyrical and visual tale of the present day was called “This is America.”

Michael Jackson’s final curtain call was entitled “This Is It.”

Kiki Stokes’ vision for a softball team that carries a social justice theme is “This Is Us”.

Raised in Kansas City and playing softball all her life from kindergarten to the University of Nebraska and now the pro ranks, Kiki has established herself a venerable presence in the mostly white sport of softball.

(Courtesy: Lincoln Journal Star)

She is also working as an assistant coach at South Dakota State.

(Courtesy: South Dakota State Athletics)

The This is Us team, comprising of Kiki and 17 other professional players, came about as the country was and still continues to try to stay above water due to the intensity of COVID-19 and the resurgence of the movement for black lives as a result of the racist killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and Rashard Brooks.

(Courtesy: PopSugar)

(Courtesy: This is Us Softball)

It took an offensive tweet from the general manager of the Scrap Yard Dawgs, the Texas-based pro softball team where many of the players came from, that unleashed a call to action.

The Dawgs were playing the USSSA Pride in June, one of the first professional sporting events to return during COVID-19.

As the players were standing for the national anthem, the GM Connie May posted a tweet at the current occupant of the White House about the players standing for the anthem, as if she was speaking on behalf of the team.

Kiki and her teammates got word of the tweet and they were outraged.

“After the game was over, we got screenshots of the tweet. We decided not to be affiliated with her” she said.

As a result, all the players went in their own direction throughout the season, they created a unity that is built on shared principles and values, the likes of which Connie Kay cannot break.

This is Us Softball, based in Florida, promotes using the game as a tool to advocate for justice and equality.

(Courtesy: Youtube)

Kiki said “it was very stressful and emotional for a lot of people. Changing the role was stressful, but we are together and a lot of us are focused on the softball community.”

Their bond and commitment to their ideals are much in line with what is going on in the WNBA and NBA as the players have chartered their own path and remained committed to advocating for widespread social change.

Over the course of this season, they played 6 games as This is Us before a resurge in COVID-19 rates and they have received extraordinary support throughout the softball world.

“USAAA Pride offered support 100%,” said Kiki.

They have also received praise from players such as A.J. Andrews and their visibility comes at a time where the sport is growing from the collegiate to the professional level.

Going forward, Kiki envisions the team continuing to have a huge impact and to reach out to segments of society that have historically been denied access to the game.

“We want the team to be an educational platform and to have camps and clinics in inner cities. We are about the power of community and there are so many things we want to do in the years to come” she said.

Kiki’s rise and her leadership comes at a significant time in our cultural and political landscape where black women have, as has always been the case, leading the charge for America to live up to its professed ideals.

From the halls of Congress, on the frontlines for racial and gender justice, to the stage at Coachella, to the royalty of Buckingham Palace, on the WNBA hardwood, in the dynamic STEM fields, on the presidential campaign ticket, and now on the softball diamond, black women are reminding the world of their power and influence.

Kiki Stokes has a place in the pantheon of all the legends and youngins who are leading the way.