As part of Virginia Tech Athletics' celebration of Black History Month, the department will be sharing compelling stories of its staff and their amazing accomplishments throughout the month. We are reminded in this series that athletics serves as a great equalizer and provides an aspirational narrative and opportunity for all. We continue the series with Virginia Tech women's basketball student-athlete Taylor Soule.
The very premise of Black History Month is spending the entire month of February paying homage and respect to African Americans for past and present contributions to society, despite facing years of racism and inequalities.
But why should a period of respect and understanding of that magnitude be limited to only one month? That's the very question Virginia Tech women's basketball forward Taylor Soule is still racking her brain, trying to figure out.
"I think Black history, in general, is a really important narrative to talk about," said Soule. "I think it shouldn't just be talked about during the month of February, but it's still a great opportunity for Black people to tell their stories and be heard while also giving other people the opportunity to ask questions and have open and honest conversations.
"For the last 23 years of my life, just growing up and talking to people about what it means to be Black — what that looks like, what that feels like — it's nice to be heard and understood a little bit, even if it's difficult for people to fully comprehend without really experiencing the same things."
Black is beautiful
Soule was born in Chicago, but she grew up in New Hampshire with her adoptive parents and younger sister.
Two Black kids growing up in a small town within a predominantly white community served as its own teaching tool for Soule and her sister.
However, perhaps their biggest lesson growing up was the fact that it's okay to be different. Instead of running away from the subject of race, Soule's mother made a conscientious effort to highlight the beauty of her daughters as Black women.
"My mom especially made a really big effort with adoption books or stories about our hair and what made it special," Soule said.
"So, we always knew we were different from kids around us, but it was always in a positive type of manner. It was nice having my younger sister because we kind of went through it together. Our parents were always supportive, educational, and helpful in learning and understanding our history, even if they didn't experience it themselves."
Through all the learning and growing, Soule found basketball as her true love in a multitude of different sports ventures, including tennis, soccer, gymnastics, and even karate.
It wasn't until her freshman year of high school that she started taking the sport seriously and ultimately ended up getting an offer to play Division I basketball at Boston College.
What it means to be Black
Even while pursuing a basketball career, Soule participated in programs aimed at student-athletes working to create diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus.
Some of that work included forming a safe space where people could come together and speak on experienced racial injustices with legitimately open-ended conversations.
Even after graduating from Boston College last May and transferring to Virginia Tech, those are the same conversations Soule would love to continue, particularly the discussions on what it means to be Black.
And those lessons aren't just for white people.
"The biggest thing that stands out to me is the narrative around what being Black means. I genuinely think there's this misunderstanding like... if you didn't grow up eating collard greens or you didn't listen to this type of music artist — are you 'really' Black?
"Sure, I grew up in a primarily white community with white parents, but I'm still Black," said Soule. "If I get pulled over by the cops, they aren't going to ask me what I had for breakfast, and if my answer is white enough, then I'm suddenly off the hook. No, it doesn't work that way.
"It's important to recognize that being Black is beautiful, regardless of your background. But at the same time, you have to wonder why African Americans are being discriminated against in the first place. It's definitely not the music they listen to in their spare time. It's the color of their skin and what they look like. I'm trying to change that false narrative among all communities."
The biggest battle of all
Starting this month, Soule admitted her goal is to be a vessel for people that want to have those tough conversations relating to race.
One of her biggest inspirations has been WNBA star Natasha Cloud, who has willingly used her platform to speak out against racism and social inequalities.
In many ways, Soule has made it her goal to do the same thing. She knows the world isn't going to be saved in a day, but if she does her part, she can help make an impact on many of the systemic problems in the world.
"It's always a great time to highlight African Americans doing wonderful things. I think an athlete that comes to my mind is Natasha Cloud," Soule said.
"She plays in the WNBA and speaks what's on her mind. She is a big activist and played a huge role in speaking up at the peak of COVID and the George Floyd murder. I think I'm definitely trying to find my voice and speak up, too. Just finding time and people that have the same type of passion on these subject matters. I think that's definitely something I want to get even more involved in."
That heavier involvement could come after Soule stops dribbling a basketball.
Her short-term goal is to finish out her collegiate career and seek out pro opportunities in the WNBA and overseas while also using her platform to improve issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
But the long-term goal is putting all her efforts into furthering those tough conversations on racism beyond just the month of February.
"In the short-term, I'm trying to stay healthy and get drafted at the end of the season, and then, I'll kind of just go from there," said Soule. "There are opportunities in the States and some overseas ones as well. I'm just going to start there and see where basketball takes me."
Wherever Soule's basketball talent takes her, that burning passion for a better world will certainly follow.
If anything, it's a humble reminder that some battles are bigger than the ones on the hardwood.