Olympic Hurdler Opens Up About Hurtful Words Growing Up And What She Sees In the Current Protest Movement

By Kristian Rhim for DyeStat

Ashley Spencer was in middle school when a classmate told her that if he could have it his way, she’d be a slave. 

She remembers the boy. His name was Jimmy. He was white, had short brown hair, big glasses, and he and Spencer were the two smartest kids in the class. Spencer always tried to answer questions in class before Jimmy could and noticed the boy's frustration when she did. 

As they continued their figurative battle for the best student in the classroom, the tension rose. One day in the school's library, she was going to sit down before the group began to play a game of Oregon Trail when the boy quickly ran in front of her and took her seat. 

Then things took an unexpected turn. 

"My friend Ashley said, 'That's not fair! You need to stand up.' He stood up and said, 'You know what, I can't wait till I become President because I can put you and all your friends back in slavery where you belong!"

Jimmy was forced to issue an apology to Spencer, and she didn't see him for the next three days, which she assumed was a suspension. Many years later, the 27-year old still thinks about that day. 

"I still struggle to find out what prompted him to say that. It makes me wonder, 'What is your family like?' If you think it is okay for you to say that to me," she said. 

Jimmy's comment, forced apology and the three-day suspension is a microcosm for what happens in America today for those who hold racist views.

The unrest across the country in response to the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and many other unarmed Black people have come as a result of people fed up with this process. 

In the protests around the country and worldwide, there have been a significant number of white people demonstrating. While Spencer is happy and thankful that white people around the world finally recognize the inequalities and inequities for Black Americans, she is still skeptical about the depth of commitment to rooting out racism. 

"In a sense, you almost have to question, 'Are you supporting me because it's beneficial to you or because it's the right thing to do?'" she said. 

Spencer has used her platform through social media and her podcast titled, Thoughts from the Throne. She released an episode in March about growing up Black in America and plans on releasing an episode soon focused on body image for Black women. 

"As athletes, we're told to shut up and dribble, shut up and run, shut up and hurdle, shut up and throw — we're almost not allowed to have opinions," the Indianapolis native said. "But if I don't use my platform to spread awareness, if I don't use my platform to show solidarity in what's happening, then why do I have it? I have a duty as an athlete and an Olympian to be the voice that some people may not have." 

Before protests erupted around the world, Spencer was already extremely stressed because of the Coronavirus, as she has multiple family members who are healthcare workers on the frontlines fighting the virus. Following the killing of Floyd and the protests that ensued, the stress caused her to take periodic breaks from the outside world.

"I've found myself having to put my phone down, turn my TV off, and cry," she said. "Black people literally can't do anything without the risk of being murdered. We can't breathe, can't sell things, can't be at home, can't play basketball, can't jog down the street, can't walk. We can't do anything. It's tiresome, it's worrisome, and it's exhausting."

She continued. "It's scary. It's almost like living in fear. I am a Black woman who is going to have her own Black family. I have Black parents, nieces, nephews, cousins, and I see (Black people being killed) on TV; I know it could very much be somebody in my family."

Racism is woven into fabric of America and sports are not exempt. Major League Baseball and other professional leagues were slow to integrate after trailblazers like Jackie Robinson broke through the color line. The University of Mississippi waited until 1971 to integrate its football team.

Spencer says that she hasn't experienced any racism from coaches, teammates, or fans, but she was surprised at how fans viewed Black people in other countries when she traveled internationally. 

"It became very apparent that in a lot of parts of the world track and field fans aren't used to seeing Black people," she said. "Budapest (Hungary) was the first time I was physically followed by white folks. It wasn't necessarily a racist thing, it was more curiosity, like, 'Where are you from? Where did you come from? Are you African? It was daunting to me. You guys know we come here every year, you're the same people that are in the stands, but you've never really seen Black people?"

Amidst a global pandemic and worldwide protests, the Olympic bronze medalist in the 400-meter hurdles has been working out to stay ready in case meets return. She hopes to make the U.S team next summer and says her training partners and coach have helped keep her sane as she experienced a "rollercoaster ride" of emotions. 

As it stands, Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter bans any form of protest at its official ceremonies, but in a press release last week Wednesday, the International Olympic Committee announced that it would be working with the Athletes' Commission to determine ways to adjust the controversial protesting guidelines.

"The IOC Executive Board supports the initiative of the IOC Athletes' Commission to explore different ways of how Olympic athletes can express their support for the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter," the statement reads, "including at the time of the Olympic Games, and respecting the Olympic spirit."

Regardless of the decision that the IOC makes, Spencer believes protest will happen. 

"I absolutely do think there will be protests, and not just from the Americans. We have seen people in France, people in Germany (protesting); people across the world are sick and tired of seeing racial inequality," she said. "I honestly think the stance the IOC took is hypocritical because if you support the Black Lives Matter movement, you support everything that comes along with it. We're just going to have to see what happens. It will be interesting to see the dynamic when we are back on track." 

The opening ceremonies for the Olympic Games are scheduled to begin July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.