Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1349383
29 T he question at the beginning of the season was one that most athletic teams have come across this last year — do we stand or kneel for the National Anthem? University of Iowa women's basketball assistant coach Raina Harmon noticed a flaw in this question. "Only two things were going happen — people were going to say 'I agree,' or 'I disagree,' but there's no education," Harmon said. "ere would be no conversation as to why I'm doing it. ere would be nobody to affirm, these things are happening, let's make change." What started as a way to bring attention to the social injustices that have plagued our country, grew Harmon's desire to educate, not only the University of Iowa women's basketball team, but the people surrounding her. ose not familiar with Iowa women's basketball traditions might not know about post- shootaround circles. It has been a long-standing tradition for the team to gather in a circle aer shootaround and take a step away from basketball to learn. "It's part of us, coming together, taking over the gym," Harmon said. "Coach (Lisa) Bluder always gives us a quote or story that is going to lead us into the game. "is year with my game day mask, she asked if I would be willing to share stories of the people or the systems or the events that I presented on those game day masks, and it has been a treat to be able to share those historical components during every shootaround." It started when Harmon wore a Tamir Rice mask at the Michigan State game earlier this season (Dec. 12). "Before shootaround, (coach Bluder) said, 'Hey Raina, tell me the story of Tamir Rice and as I told her, you could kind of see her heart break. A 12-year-old kid from Ohio, playing with a toy gun and he ended up getting shot. She asked if I would share that story with the team, and I did. It has been a trend that has continued for the rest of the season." ough speaking to the team started at Michigan State, Harmon was already using her masks to boost conversation on personal social media platforms and in everyday life. "I thought I was going to dedicate the season to just talking about Breanna Taylor and her story, but I feel there has been a lot of push to get her story out to seek justice for her on social media," Harmon explained. "It is important to have these discussions, not only with the team, but society should be having these discussions. is country has gone through a bit of awakening and there are a couple things at play. We're in a pandemic and we're talking about COVID and how it's hitting different demographics of this country." With the pandemic, Harmon continued to use her platform to draw similarities from the past to the present, opening an opportunity for members of the basketball team to share their own experiences. "Some of the players on our team have shared stories that probably would have never come out in a normal basketball setting. at allows us to humanize ourselves and share those experiences because as we go through life, we only see it through our lens. But when you can have somebody that you love, trust and that you play for be able to share their experience, that's impactful and helps more people join the fight to try to erase some of these things." MARCH SCHEDULE March 10-13 at Big Ten Tournament (Indianapolis) March 21-April 5 at NCAA Tournament