The American College of Sports Medicine is encouraging members to address "racial injustices seen historically and in recent weeks with the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd," all of whom were black.
"This is a social justice problem, and it is a public health problem," the ACSM said in a June 2 statement. "By determining whether people can safely be physically active, receive proper nutrition, are provided appropriate healthcare and have access to other basic human needs that should be afforded to everyone, racial prejudice and discrimination impacts each one of us."
The industry group outlined its efforts to support diversity and inclusion in exercise science and sports medicine, including:
- Funding a leadership and diversity training program to help underrepresented minority members secure leadership positions within ACSM
- Electing leaders to three diversity, equity and inclusion positions on the ACSM Board of Trustees
- Addressing diversity, equity and inclusion within ACSM, around the U.S., and internationally through dedicated committees
ACSM released its statement as protesters across the U.S. and other countries decried the recent killings of Mr. Floyd, Ms. Taylor and Mr. Arbery.
An independent autopsy found that 46-year-old Mr. Floyd died of "homicide caused by asphyxia" when he was apprehended by Minneapolis police officers and pinned to the ground for eight minutes with an officer's knee on his neck, according to reports from ABC News and The Scotsman.
Police officers shot and killed Ms. Taylor, 26, in her home in Louisville, Ky., March 13. They were reportedly carrying out a "no-knock" search warrant related to a drug investigation, though no drugs were found in the apartment she shared with her partner, Kenneth Walker.
In Brunswick, Ga., 25-year-old Mr. Arbery was jogging through a residential area when he was shot and killed by a father and son whose parked vehicle he had passed.