DePaul University Athletics
Watkins Ready to RISE to the Moment
9/22/2020 1:13:00 PM | ATHLETICS, MEN'S SOCCER
DePaul's RISE civic engagement initiative launches on Thursday
CHICAGO – All over the country, people are rising to the moment of what many are depicting as the most consequential election since our nation was founded in 1776.
And on Tuesday's National Voter Registration Day---right there among the Blue Demons ready to amplify their collective voice is men's soccer player Patrick Watkins.
Beginning on Thursday, DePaul's student-athletes will undertake virtual RISE civic engagement sessions with a strong emphasis on voting and voter registration.
The acronym is based on the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality, a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
The organization recognizes the remarkable ability of athletes to transcend societal differences along with their dynamic impact in confronting racism, prejudice, diversity and inclusion.
Watkins, DePaul RISE coordinator Carolyn Lewis and others from the athletics department participated in the BIG EAST RISE virtual workshops on the Sept. 9 and 16 and were challenged to become more engaged in this country's most pressing issues including our precious right to vote.
There was no mistaking the fire smoldering within when Watkins was asked why he participated in the BIG EAST RISE workshops.
"As an African-American living in America, I have seen and felt first-hand the limited opportunities for minorities and the impact that can have on our communities," Watkins said. "With all the racism and police brutality that occurred this past spring and summer, I think now is the time to get proactive in championing racial injustices.
"Racial injustice in our country has always been a problem. But today it is being recorded on video for more people to actually see. The BIG EAST RISE workshops allowed me to connect with others that have the same ideals and mindsets as I do, and that is a comforting feeling. RISE also does well to educate people on injustices that are occurring to minority people that the average person may not realize. That only fuels the fire even more to make a change."
Lewis knew it was time for her to get involved while organizing the DePaul RISE sessions.
"Coaches and staff were asking me more about the program, so I thought the BIG EAST workshops were a great opportunity to get a preview for our sessions," Lewis said. "I was really impacted by the History and Significance of Voting session.
"I guess I never realized the challenges some populations in our country face when it comes to what I had thought was the simple process of registering to vote."
What resonated with Watkins was a speaker who has written multiple books on the history and effects of voter suppression in the United States.
"It pains me that a lot of the methods used for voter suppression back in the Jim Crow era are still trying to be applied today," said Watkins in citing a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that struck down a formula at the heart of the Voting Rights Act. "It has suppressed a lot of votes in minority communities across numerous states. Even now, the U.S. Postal Service may be de-funded or partially shut down to suppress mail-in voting. People need to know what is going on, and too many people do not.
"Voting is vital. It is so crucial that I cannot stress it enough. Peoples' lives and rights are in the balance. Voting for a certain candidate would keep and bolster the systemic racism in place. Attitudes of discrimination, fear and violence towards people of color, women and those within the LGBTQ community will also continue to become less covert."
Voting will be at the heart of the DePaul RISE sessions with women's basketball and men's soccer along with track and field/cross country participating Thursday and October 8. Men's basketball, volleyball, softball, women's soccer, golf and both tennis teams are scheduled for Sept. 25 and Oct. 9.
"Young voters play a very big role in this election," Watkins said. "I think there has been a huge wave of youth activism since the 2016 election that has sparked a movement to create social and political changes in this country. We need every person within our age group to vote."
Lewis has found ways to become more engaged.
"I have a daughter in elementary school, and I've been more intentional about having conversations with her about democracy, what is systemic racism and speaking out when something isn't right," Lewis said. "While I wish we could meet in-person with RISE, the virtual sessions will allow for small-group breakout sessions.
"This is such a great way to spark heartfelt conversation about topics important to our students. I hope it is just the beginning, and that our students continue to remain engaged throughout their time at DePaul and post-graduation."
With Watkins, you're preaching to the choir. How will he stay engaged?
"There is always peaceful protesting, getting involved in community programs catered towards the youth, voting (which is huge), petitioning and phone banking your local elected officials," he said. "Sometimes it's having a conversation about how certain groups are disproportionately affected by systemic racism.
"If you want to engage someone you know, pose the question to them and have a conversation. They must be open-minded about these issues. There is a difference between not being racist and being anti-racist.
"Getting people to pay attention to issues like systemic racism can be challenging. Some may believe in it, others may not. But information about what is going on needs to be a constant conversation, and never let it rest until it is fixed."
Watkins was asked about the best way to convey the RISE message to his fellow Blue Demons.
"Talk to your teammates," he said. "Everyone needs to listen in on these conversations to be a part of something that is so much bigger than one would think. A lot of people feel uninformed on some of the politics, and this is a short, easy way to learn something that can help everyone out in the long run.
"There is nothing more important than fighting for each other's equal rights, protection and opportunities."
Â
And on Tuesday's National Voter Registration Day---right there among the Blue Demons ready to amplify their collective voice is men's soccer player Patrick Watkins.
Beginning on Thursday, DePaul's student-athletes will undertake virtual RISE civic engagement sessions with a strong emphasis on voting and voter registration.
The acronym is based on the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality, a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
The organization recognizes the remarkable ability of athletes to transcend societal differences along with their dynamic impact in confronting racism, prejudice, diversity and inclusion.
Watkins, DePaul RISE coordinator Carolyn Lewis and others from the athletics department participated in the BIG EAST RISE virtual workshops on the Sept. 9 and 16 and were challenged to become more engaged in this country's most pressing issues including our precious right to vote.
There was no mistaking the fire smoldering within when Watkins was asked why he participated in the BIG EAST RISE workshops.
"As an African-American living in America, I have seen and felt first-hand the limited opportunities for minorities and the impact that can have on our communities," Watkins said. "With all the racism and police brutality that occurred this past spring and summer, I think now is the time to get proactive in championing racial injustices.
"Racial injustice in our country has always been a problem. But today it is being recorded on video for more people to actually see. The BIG EAST RISE workshops allowed me to connect with others that have the same ideals and mindsets as I do, and that is a comforting feeling. RISE also does well to educate people on injustices that are occurring to minority people that the average person may not realize. That only fuels the fire even more to make a change."
Lewis knew it was time for her to get involved while organizing the DePaul RISE sessions.
"Coaches and staff were asking me more about the program, so I thought the BIG EAST workshops were a great opportunity to get a preview for our sessions," Lewis said. "I was really impacted by the History and Significance of Voting session.
"I guess I never realized the challenges some populations in our country face when it comes to what I had thought was the simple process of registering to vote."
What resonated with Watkins was a speaker who has written multiple books on the history and effects of voter suppression in the United States.
"It pains me that a lot of the methods used for voter suppression back in the Jim Crow era are still trying to be applied today," said Watkins in citing a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that struck down a formula at the heart of the Voting Rights Act. "It has suppressed a lot of votes in minority communities across numerous states. Even now, the U.S. Postal Service may be de-funded or partially shut down to suppress mail-in voting. People need to know what is going on, and too many people do not.
"Voting is vital. It is so crucial that I cannot stress it enough. Peoples' lives and rights are in the balance. Voting for a certain candidate would keep and bolster the systemic racism in place. Attitudes of discrimination, fear and violence towards people of color, women and those within the LGBTQ community will also continue to become less covert."
Voting will be at the heart of the DePaul RISE sessions with women's basketball and men's soccer along with track and field/cross country participating Thursday and October 8. Men's basketball, volleyball, softball, women's soccer, golf and both tennis teams are scheduled for Sept. 25 and Oct. 9.
"Young voters play a very big role in this election," Watkins said. "I think there has been a huge wave of youth activism since the 2016 election that has sparked a movement to create social and political changes in this country. We need every person within our age group to vote."
Lewis has found ways to become more engaged.
"I have a daughter in elementary school, and I've been more intentional about having conversations with her about democracy, what is systemic racism and speaking out when something isn't right," Lewis said. "While I wish we could meet in-person with RISE, the virtual sessions will allow for small-group breakout sessions.
"This is such a great way to spark heartfelt conversation about topics important to our students. I hope it is just the beginning, and that our students continue to remain engaged throughout their time at DePaul and post-graduation."
With Watkins, you're preaching to the choir. How will he stay engaged?
"There is always peaceful protesting, getting involved in community programs catered towards the youth, voting (which is huge), petitioning and phone banking your local elected officials," he said. "Sometimes it's having a conversation about how certain groups are disproportionately affected by systemic racism.
"If you want to engage someone you know, pose the question to them and have a conversation. They must be open-minded about these issues. There is a difference between not being racist and being anti-racist.
"Getting people to pay attention to issues like systemic racism can be challenging. Some may believe in it, others may not. But information about what is going on needs to be a constant conversation, and never let it rest until it is fixed."
Watkins was asked about the best way to convey the RISE message to his fellow Blue Demons.
"Talk to your teammates," he said. "Everyone needs to listen in on these conversations to be a part of something that is so much bigger than one would think. A lot of people feel uninformed on some of the politics, and this is a short, easy way to learn something that can help everyone out in the long run.
"There is nothing more important than fighting for each other's equal rights, protection and opportunities."
Â
Players Mentioned
M
/ MEN'S SOCCERBlue Demon Room Podcast Episode 17: Rachel Wilhelm and Noreen Vlamakis, Rush Physical Therapy
Wednesday, March 19
Episode 11: DeWayne Peevy, Vice President/Director of Athletics
Wednesday, December 18
Blue Demon Breakdown - Oct. 16
Wednesday, October 16
LEGACY: Build Your Brand
Thursday, August 01