Change.

Such a funny thing change is. Many want it and many fear it. As many of you know, I recently took a stand with the hope to incite change. I stated on my social media sites that until I felt included, equal, and safe on Cornell College’s campus, I was refusing to wear our team’s uniform. This decision did not come easily and I did not make it lightly. I made my decision after a series of events that occurred on the Hilltop.

I was very nervous going into our team’s track meet this past Saturday. It’s one thing to say you’re going to do something and another to actually go forth with it. When the Star Spangled Banner played, as it always does to mark the start of the meet, I got goosebumps. I started to tear up when we got to the verse, “land of the free, and the home of the brave”. Soon my race started and I was too focused on my running to really think of much else. Now, I’m not one to use excuses or much less condone them but, the week prior to the meet left me drained. I was emotionally, physically, and mentally drained and I was honestly surprised I was able to finish the race. Nonetheless, my coach and my teammates were there to cheer me on. A young lady from Clarke came up to me and said that she had heard about my story. She said that she would pray for me and my friends that night. Not only did my own teammates support me, but so did other athletes.It was really heartwarming to have a fellow competitor make the effort to let her support be known.

Support has been flooding in from so many people and it’s just amazing! I’m so incredibly blessed to have the platform that I do, and to have an audience who has responded in such positive ways. Cornell may have some bad apples who unfortunately paint the college in a bad picture, but they also have some awesome alum. These alum whether they are people of color or not, have reached out to my friends and I in these trying times. I have received emails and facebook messages from strangers and alum of all ages and backgrounds. Other athletic programs such as Dubuque University, Simpson College, Grinnell College, and a few others have reached out to me to say that I’m not alone. There is such a beauty in Division III athletics and this just proves it even more. They have showered me with some of the most supportive messages.

“I stand with Sam Martinez as a Cornellian, a steeplechaser, and an All-American, but most importantly as a person that hopes for better from the members of those communities that we share, whether you are runners, members of a community on a hilltop in Iowa, or just plain humans. As steeplechasers, we jump over barriers in every race we run, so I know Sam will finish this race.”

“It is the brave actions from people like you that will overcome the ignorance and hate that many Americans still suffer from and help us all to continue our march towards a truly free and fair society.”

Sadly, I’ve also been told, “I’m heartbroken because I too have faced racial discrimination and it’s so sad.” It isn’t just our school or our peers and friends who are facing discrimination, many others are too. Demanding change at Cornell College isn’t unreasonable. Many of my peers and I have suffered a variety of bias-related and discriminatory acts. One would think that in such a highly ranked liberal arts college, ignorance would not be acceptable and much less tolerated. We should be setting an example for other schools to follow in our path. President Brand brought together all of campus on Monday morning to discuss the most recent events. Many of us student leaders have been in and out of meetings for the past two weeks. We have met with faculty, coaches, athletic directors, campus safety, and most importantly our peers. Our concerns are not only being heard, but actions are being taken in response to our concerns.
Small steps are being taken to help improve our campus life, not only for students of color, but for all students who pay almost $50k a year to attend this institution. As I’ve said before, I’m not naive enough to think that things will change overnight. Policies can’t be erased, rewritten, amended, or enforced in just a few days. I understand that these things take time but I also understand that some things can change right now. Will all that has taken place I will say that I will be wearing my uniform this Saturday, April 23rd. While I may be very willing to give up a chance to defend my conference championship and my possible return to NCAA Outdoor Track and Field championships, I’m not ready to let my team down. We have an amazing group of ladies that I’m incredibly proud to be a part of. We have a chance at medaling yet again in the 4×400 relay. I’m not going to stand in their way of achieving this. By deciding to wear my jersey again, I am not saying that the fight is over because it’s FAR from over. I am saying that I have achieved the main part of my goal which was to bring as much attention to the issues on campus concerning students of color. We wanted our voices to be heard. I’m not going to say this was all because me. That would be not only selfish but false as well. We, students of Cornell, worked together to bring forth the problems facing our campus. We are tired of putting our heads down and just accepting what we are given. We have a voice and we will continue to use that voice until we, students of color, are no longer ignored by institutions.

Thank you to everyone who has extended their support to my friends and I in these past two weeks. Please continue to stay in touch as we continue to overcome obstacles both on our campus and in our everyday lives.

Keep an eye out for future blog posts!