How and Why "KICK OUT RACISM" TM came about?

Soccer is a global game based upon diversity, inclusion, opportunity, and equality. Anyone, from anywhere, can play and can succeed. Often the best players are those who have come from the most difficult environments around the world.

As a player I grew up with an appreciation and value for this diversity. We were all on the same team, playing together, supporting each other; when the final whistle blew we would shake hands with our competitors and often celebrate together afterwards. In college I was lucky enough to play on a city league team, "The Internationals", that was a collection of international students and American students, all playing together - Each school year we would add new players and the diversity of our team would grow.

There is a beauty and value to this global community. We are all equal on the same playing field, quite literally.

While I never made it to the professional leagues as a player, the passion and love of the game continues with me, which is why when I see racism, discrimination, and xenophobia exhibited by "fans" at soccer matches around the world and in the media, it confuses me and angers me. Did these "fans" not have the same experience of playing on the field with others from diverse backgrounds? Of accepting others, playing by the same set of rules, and looking to improve from the experience?

The concept of developing a soccer ball with positive messaging to raise awareness of these issues has been something I have had in mind for several years, from being aware of racist chants at professional matches in the media, to the goalkick chants in games between USA and Mexico national teams, to professional players expressing frustration in the media.

In particular, the game in which Mario Balotelli was mistreated by the "fans" and the public, and was ready to leave the field I felt I could try to do something positive. I couldn't understand the thought process of these people, and I could see the anguish and pain written so clearly on Mr. Balotelli's face in the midst of that game, surrounded in a stadium, and broadcast internationally for the world to see.

There is something so much more important going on in these events, in these moments, than the spectacle and the game: We must express and educate that everyone on this planet - every single person - is an equal that is worthy of honor and respect, regardless of their skills as a professional athlete, their background, their belief system, their ethnicity, their nationality, their race, their skin color, their preference(s), or their particular role(s) in life.

Every. Single. Person.

But how to express and educate in an approachable, positive, and effective way? I don't own a media conglomerate nor do I have influence in a professional league - I'm just a school teacher trying to make my way, and to get some sense of joy and escape in my life watching the game that I love.

And so, the "KICK OUT RACISM" TM and "Diversity Makes the World Go 'Round" TM concept came around, as a way to:

• Develop a game quality soccer ball with positive messaging for players and fans to see as a focal point of the game they love. (Why a game quality ball? So that the ball - and hence, the message - can be highlighted at the highest level games).

• Provide those balls as a fundraising platform for youth clubs to use to support their operations (thereby increasing the scale, scope, and effectiveness of the message, and sharing the message at the youth level, from the grass roots on up).

• Put organizational profits to use by supporting community organizations that are addressing racism and discrimination (to provide support to the organizations and people that are on the ground and directly addressing these issues).

We are preparing to launch our first efforts for all of this via a KickStarter campaign, with the hope of generating awareness, connecting with youth clubs to collaborate with, and raising the funds needed to order the first shipment of our signature game balls.

If you feel that our mission resonates with your organization, or if you have questions, we would love to connect with you.