Anti-Racist Soccer Club
Lansing Common is a member of the Anti-Racist Soccer Club coalition. This coalition was created to fight racism in American soccer. The founding organizations and individuals understand the need to address the ongoing systemic racism that exists within our game, with impactful action. The 10-point plan is the foundation for what American soccer clubs can do as a starting point and this coalition will continue to guide any clubs that wish to adopt and implement the plan.
Clubs, leagues, and supporter groups can apply to join the Anti-Racist Soccer Club coalition by submitting their version of the 10-point plan that fits their community, based on our guidelines. Other ARSC members include AFC Ann Arbor, Oakland Roots SC, and Vermont Green FC. Learn more at antiracistsoccerclub.com
Below you can find our updated 10-point plan. The 10-point plan is not an end, it’s a beginning. As goals are met and new opportunities present themselves, the items in the plan may shift, but our commitment is to work alongside our players, our staff, our members, and our community to understand and address racism and its impacts in soccer and our community. Please contact us on social media or by email with questions, ideas, or to get involved.
To see our original 10-point plan, click here.
1. INVEST RESOURCES INTO OUR COMMUNITIES TO FURTHER DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
What we did in 2022: Unfortunately we weren’t able to grow the Community Kicks program in the way we wanted last year due to some partnerships not coming together as we had hoped. Still, we invested significant resources in supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts in our community, donating almost $2,000 to the Mikey23 Foundation, an organization that works to reduce gun violence and improve the lives of young people through education and training in skilled trades. Through our charity jerseys, we raised over $5,000 for the Refugee Development Center, which supports making Lansing a welcoming community for refugees and newcomers, as well as over $2,000 for Care Free Medical, an organization that provides quality health care to those with limited access to the healthcare system.
What we’re doing this year: We’re still working on bringing Community Kicks back in a way that is sustainable and scalable. We want that program to grow and are seeking partners and funding to support that work. Through partnerships like Early Bird Coffee with Strange Matter and our charity jerseys, we continue to raise money to invest in organizations that support racial equity in Lansing.
2. INCREASE REPRESENTATION TO REFLECT THE COMMUNITY AND SPORT IN WHICH WE OPERATE
What we did in 2022: In addition to keeping tryout fees low and optional, and partnering with Greater Lansing Open Soccer, we took big steps in making youth soccer in Lansing more accessible last year. Last spring we covered the costs of almost 50 Lansing youth to participate in Parks and Rec soccer free of charge. This past fall we painted lines and took care of the soccer field for the Refugee Development Center’s U15 boys team so they could compete in the Capital Area Soccer League. We also partnered with Lansing Soccer Club, Lansing School District, and the City of Lansing on a free soccer clinic last April.
What we’re doing this year: We’re going to continue all the great work we did last year and add to it. This year we’re partnering with the Lansing School District on an after-school and summer program that provides athletic training, academic support, and wellness, including meals and a safe place to hang out. Our players will participate as coaches in the program, providing mentorship and athletic training to 6th-12th graders in Lansing schools.
3. EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT RACISM AND ANTI-RACIST BEHAVIORS
What we did in 2022: We celebrated Juneteenth recognition at a home game, partnering with One Love Global to educate our fans about the history of Juneteenth, local opportunities to learn more about Juneteenth, and how to get involved in local racial equity efforts. We used our social media platform throughout the season to call attention to anti-racism efforts in our community.
What we’re doing this year: We’re inviting even more organizations to partner on Anti-Racist Soccer Club night at a home game this year, and working with those partners to host educational offerings for our fans. Ahead of the season, we’re hosting a Bystander Intervention workshop for our fans and board members, helping build skills to interrupt racism and discrimination when they witness it.
4. SUPPORT THE PROTEST OR REMOVAL OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM PLAYED BEFORE DOMESTIC SPORTING EVENTS
What we did in 2022: We did not play the national anthem before games in 2022.
What we’re doing this year: We will continue to not play the anthem, and continue to use any questions we receive about not playing the anthem as an opening to conversations about the history of the anthem and reasons not all members of our community feel represented by it.
5. PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR ALL PLAYERS TO SPEAK OPENLY AND FREELY ABOUT SOCIAL INJUSTICES AND INEQUALITY
What we did in 2022: We provided our players with the opportunity to use our social media platforms to speak about social injustice through their words, actions, and their pregame attire. We continued the work of formalizing anti-discrimination policies and structures to support players in this area.
What we’re doing this year: We will be more proactive in inviting players to use our platforms to speak about social injustice. We will continue to invite players into ongoing dialogues to discuss how best to incorporate their voices into our platforms and our outreach efforts.
6. EXPAND ACCESS TO THE SPORT AND WORK TOWARDS EQUITABLE PLAY
What we did in 2022: Last spring we covered the costs of almost 50 Lansing youth to participate in Parks and Rec soccer free of charge. This past fall we painted lines and took care of the soccer field for the Refugee Development Center’s U15 boys team so they could compete in the Capital Area Soccer League. We also partnered with Lansing Soccer Club, Lansing School District, and the City of Lansing on a free soccer clinic last April.
What we’re doing this year: We continue to work with Lansing Public Schools and Lansing Parks and Rec to identify solutions to provide playing opportunities for all in the community, particularly those who face barriers to participation. We are strengthening our collaboration with Capital Area Soccer League and Lansing Soccer Club, organizations committed to increasing access to soccer.
Through these partnerships this spring we hosted a free futsal tournament in Lansing, and throughout the season we will host multiple free soccer clinics for kids in our community, providing them high-level coaching and helping connect them to opportunities in organized soccer.
7. COMMIT TO ACTIVELY WORKING TO END POLICE BRUTALITY
What we did in 2022: We did a lot of listening to partner groups led by members of impacted communities who have educated club leaders, members, and fans about the realities they face and what we can do to work toward meaningful reform and speak up against threats locally and around the state. We use our games and community outreach events as opportunities to gather fans and center leaders from groups who are actively engaged in that work, to use our platforms to lift up those voices on these issues.
What we’re doing this year: We’ll continue to use the opportunities we have for publicity within our community of soccer fans and more broadly throughout the city to spotlight those who are actively doing the work to reform policing and will speak up when it’s appropriate. We’re also providing our members with educational opportunities, and working with players on the best ways to include their voices as our club continues to grow and find our voice in this space.
8. PLEDGE TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES AND MINORITY-LED ORGANIZATIONS
What we did in 2022: Our uniforms and team apparel (about 25% of our budget for soccer operations), as well as some additional merchandise options, were designed and manufactured by Moneyball Sportswear, which is a local Black-owned apparel company. We continued our partnership with Greater Lansing Open Soccer. Many of the organizations we supported through the Early Bird Fund are minority-led nonprofits. We built a partnership with La India Mexicana Cocina food truck, owned by Shannon Mejia, a member of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians.
What we’re doing this year: We continue to purchase uniforms and apparel through Moneyball and support Greater Lansing Open Soccer. La India Mexicana Cocina food truck will be back for all home games in 2023. We continue to work on identifying minority-owned businesses to support through our operations.
9. PARTNER WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL SUPPORT ANTI-RACIST EFFORTS
What we did in 2022: We continued to build and strengthen relationships with organizations like the Refugee Development Center and support One Love Global’s efforts to build the Beloved Community in Lansing. We forged a new relationship with the Mikey23 Foundation, helping raise awareness and financial support for their work.
What we’re doing this year: We will continue to grow our existing relationships and partnerships in this area, as well as seek out new partners to engage. One of our focuses this year is on more directly connecting those who attend our games to opportunities to support our partner organizations in this area.
10. MAKE MATCHES MORE ACCESSIBLE AND MORE INVITING TO MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES
What we did in 2022: Last year we donated tickets to many of the organizations we partner with and to other organizations serving marginalized communities in the Lansing area.
What we’re doing this year: Through our partnership with Lansing School District and Lansing Parks & Recreation, we’ll be building relationships between local young people and our players and coaches and will use those programming opportunities to invite them and their families out to our games. We offer members and sponsors the chance to fund free tickets, which we distribute to local organizations. We have committed since the founding of our club to keep ticket prices accessible to anyone who wants to attend a game.