Racing Against Hate

·        In July 1999, Ricky Byrdsong, the first African-American coach for Northwestern University’s men’s basketball team was murdered by a self-proclaimed white supremacist while walking with his children.  The shooter also shot five other people of color, as well as six Orthodox Jews. To honor Byrdsong’s legacy, 3,000 runners and walkers from across the Chicago area gathered to turn Byrdsong’s tragedy into a victory with the 27th annual Race Against Hate.  It is one of the largest racial justice runs/walks to take a stand against hate. More than $ 40,000 were raised to support ongoing racial equity and violence prevention programs.

This year’s event took place against a backdrop of rising concern over hate crimes both nationally and locally. Locally, Northwestern University reported a ninefold increase in hate crimes over a one year period.