Sydney's Story

Sydney Banks

I was very blessed to have a childhood that was memorable in many positive ways. I grew up with my sister and both parents in a small town in Pennsylvania, until shortly moving to my permanent home at 5 years of age in Virginia. Around the time of the move, I found what I thought would be my forever sport, gymnastics. Starting gymnastics at a young age gave me a foundation in mental toughness and extreme physical strength. Being only 7 years old and exposed to the rigor and intensity of gymnastics shaped who I was at a very early age. The constant stress and anxiety fostered during my 25-hour practice weeks continued with me beyond gymnastics. Many things became apparent during my time in that sport including my skin color.

Gymnastics being an inherently white sport never registered to me until I was the only black girl on my team for several years. Much of these diversity gaps were due to the price of participation for gymnastics being very high. I was fortunate enough that my parents were financially able to allow me to participate, but many children were denied this opportunity from not possessing the means to do so. This limited the amount of inclusion and participation in gymnastics of many races. Most gyms were also set in the parts of town that were mostly white, again limiting exposure of this sport to other races. Growing up around a predominantly white group led to many identity issues. I listened to music that was deemed “not black” by my black peer group at school, but I was still seen as “too black” to my white colleagues. I felt that I didn’t fit in anywhere and spent most of my time alone. Going to gymnastics meets was met with many stares, almost of people being in disbelief that a black girl was competing. I noticed these hateful stares at a young age and it has stuck with me ever since. I also had naturally curly hair which quickly stood out amongst my peers with long straight hair. Due to gymnastics' strict rules on appearance, my hair was seen as unkempt. My culture was continually stripped from me, including the large majority of my life spent with bone straight hair.

After years of constant anxiety and torment, I found my new love at the age of 12, high jump. I am blessed to be able to continue my track career as a scholarship athlete at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and be a part of a sport that celebrates each other’s differences. To me, this is what racial equality is. It’s giving not only equal opportunities to all racial groups but a fair chance as well. Track was a sport that didn’t judge appearances. Jumping in a hairstyle deemed “unkempt”, usually native hairstyles, by gymnastics didn’t denote the 6-foot jumped by a particular athlete. The athlete still runs their fastest times or jumps their highest distance regardless of their appearance, which was harshly judged in gymnastics, even causing point deductions. Track also was inclusive in the sense that it didn’t cost hundreds of dollars to participate. This allowed many different racial groups to participate and further diversify the sport.  The contrast between track and gymnastics was astounding, even in the coaching staff. I was able to have numerous black coaches when I started track which was almost never seen in gymnastics. Track is also a very diverse sport which allowed me to feel comfortable wearing my curly hair and owning it.

Although gymnastics was a very difficult part of my life, it taught me how to be tougher. I knew I may not be wanted because of the color of my skin but I didn’t let that stop me. I still wore my black skin proudly and I encourage any other young athletes in my position to do the same. You are gifted in so many ways and should never let the world or other people's hateful opinions dim your light. My story is far from over and I’m so blessed to be where I am right now. No matter how many scars and tribulations come with being black, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.