Life these days continues to revolve around basketball, with my calendar filled almost exclusively with games. Today, it’s the women’s tournament as both Oregon and Indiana play in San Antonio. The NCAA finally responded to their frustration by providing weight room equipment comparable to the men. Equal rights! Sports has always provided a political platform for leveling the playing field, starting with injustice in the Negro Leagues, for example. Owners eventually found a human side and brought change. Separate but Equal was never a good compromise because separate is never equal, as was recently exposed in San Antonio. 

Separate drinking fountains, entrances, and accommodations was where this all originated. At least, it was a step up from the cruelty of slavery. The Indians were among the first victims that also included other people of color and women throughout history. Sadly, it still exists today, but inroads are being made. The business of sports has existed as a microcosm of this segregation madness. For too many years, we saw the stubborn  refusal to pass the ball to blacks and women. Slowly, females are beginning to prove that they belong on the same field as males, coming together as players, officials, and executives. The world can learn from this transformation, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. 

Providing athletes, regardless of sex or color, equal facilities and opportunities is part of this equation. Too often, the simple things like equipment are overlooked. If everyone is given the same chance to compete with no ceilings then the best athletes will eventually rise to the top. If the world of sports can practice equality, then so can the rest of us. Break down the barriers and make the entire world a better place to live.