As women's coalition seeks meeting, NFL boasts diversity
After a coalition of black women's political advocacy groups asked the National Football League for an "emergency meeting" to discuss domestic violence, the organization said a broad section of its leadership will address recent controversies involving its players and boasted diversity among those who will be leading the effort.
On Tuesday, the Black Women's Roundtable asked to talk with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell regarding released Baltimore Raven Ray Rice and Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson, both running backs. In recent weeks, videotape surfaced showing Rice punching his then fiancee in an Atlantic City elevator and photos surfaced showing Peterson's son with beating injuries. On Wednesday, after the roundtable sent the letter, word emerged that Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested on charges of aggravated assault against a woman and their child.
The roundtable chastised the sports organization for having a women's advisory group in place that lacks diversity. Members also pointed out in the letter that black women represent nearly 30% of domestic violence victims, while blacks are only 8% of the population.
"These issues are too important to be the responsibility of only a small team of individuals and require a collaborative effort involving a very diverse group of people," Brian McCarthy, NFL vice president of communications, said in an e-mail to Paste BN. "To be successful and make a real difference, the entire NFL will be responsible for the development and implementation of education, training and support programs."
In the email, McCarthy also pointed out that three members of NFL leadership, who will help the organization address the issues raised with the recent controversies, are black. They are: Deana Garner, director of player engagement and education, Kim FIelds, vice president of strategic development and operations in player engagement, and Robert Gulliver, executive vice president and chief diversity officer.
The roundtable, which includes Melanie Campbell of The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Susan Taylor, editor emeritus of Essence Magazine, had not received a response to its meeting request as of Wednesday night, said roundtable member Edrea Davis of the DogonVillage.com website and communications consultant with the roundtable.
On Tuesday, roundtable members said it was "unacceptable" that the NFL's women's advisory group included no women of color.