The Brock Badgers are highlighting the stories of Black student-athletes and staff through a series of features as part of the university's Black History Month/African Heritage Month celebration in February. A list of events held each month is Experience BU. Throughout the month of February, Brock Sports and Recreation is raising funds for Black/Indigenous Heritage Student-Athlete Scholarships through proceeds from “All for Change” T-shirts. available onlineand a portion of ticket sales for college home games.
For Brock student-athlete Chihinga Parata, Black History Month/African Heritage Month is a poignant reminder to dig into her roots and overcome the challenges she has faced throughout her life.
Because Parata grew up without significant figures in her culture, she values every relationship and community she forms with other people of color.
“Black History Month for me is a reminder to stay connected to my culture and history,” said the fourth-year medical science student. “I am reaffirming its value, seeking out the knowledge I lack, and appreciating it by spending extra time cultivating the relationships I rely on as a woman of color.”
The early days of the paratha were shaped by a fusion of Angolan and Dutch traditions. Raised by her mother in Brantford, she spent her life as one of the few black students in a predominantly white private elementary school and community.
At this time, she noticed the difference in how she and her sister were treated when playing soccer.
“It took me a long time to understand that because I look different, people will react differently to me,” Parata said. “My sister and I realized that the same tackles and challenges made by our white teammates and opponents were more likely to result in a penalty if we made them.”
After experiencing some difficult situations at home, including the separation of her parents, Parata moved to live with her aunt's family in rural southern Ontario.
This pivotal move exposed her to a troubling degree of casual racism, but it also led her to attend university and find solace in the sport of rugby.
The sport has opened the door to success with invitations to high-level camps, tours, and tryouts. Parata was scouted by one of Bullock's former coaches, and since then he has played rugby in Ontario and Rugby has set his foot on the high-performance path in Canada.
Parata joined the Badgers in 2020 but did not play in any games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the cancellation of sports seasons. The pandemic also affected the under-20 age group, where Parata spent time as a developing player for local and national teams.
These breaks were overshadowed by the obstacles Parata encountered as a woman of color in the predominantly white world of women's rugby.
In the field of sports, Parata emphasized that education and open dialogue play an important role in eliminating microaggressions and bridging cultural differences. This proactive approach is essential to fostering stronger connections between people of color and non-people of color, she said.
Parata positively acknowledges the recent efforts by Brock and OUA towards diversity in the sport. But she points out that the experiences of people of color are still largely dependent on how white people receive and respond to those messages.
“There is a group of Black athletes who inspire me. Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and Serena Williams all emphasize the importance of mental health for overall well-being and athletic performance,” Parata said. he said. “These are notable examples of what prioritizing complete health can do for the game and why taking time away from competition and sport can be beneficial.”
Despite her passion for rugby and her progress within the Brock Badgers, Parata recently decided to step away from the national women's rugby team.
Parata, who continues to pursue playing in the under-23 group and dreams of joining England's Women's Premier League, has made the difficult decision to change her focus.
This decision was made after careful consideration and deep reflection on her personal journey, highlighting the complex intersectionality she faces as a black woman in a predominantly white women's rugby world. It is something.
