What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?

I don’t have much to say. Life is unbelievable hard right now, in all sorts of ways. For some, our foundations are shaken. For others, our feared reality is upon us. This past weekend was the 4th of July, and so few feel free or a part of the promise that was made, that was bigger than the men that made it. All we can offer in these times is community, truth, and celebration of all the things that we are. This is a place to uplift the new voices on our team and let the art and the writing speak for itself. For a few moments in your week, this too can be America. Hopefully like the one you want. I leave you with this clip from Jilly from Philly, the other Jill Scott, to sum up my actual feelings.

jacenbowman

122K followers

View more on Instagram

Merchandising, Merchandising, Merchandising!

Hey, what’s more American than talking about how low we are as a nation, then selling some t-shirts? But seriously, we do have merch, which you all are so supportive in buying. You all have copped all of our gear, but by far our most popular item is the Don’t Play Out The Back tshirt. I added a few photos y’all have shared with your gear. Keep sharing photos with us and we’ll share them with the community in our newsletter.

You can be like Jacqui and shop for your shirts at the link below:

We also still have our Pride kits for sale in collaboration with Olive & York

Match Recaps and Notable Goal Scorers

*_{note, all names listed in italics are players that scored, the number beside their name indicates the minute they scored their goal. (P) = goal scored was a penalty kick}

Since we last left, the NWSL wrapped up Matchday 13, and with it the first half of the season. There wasn’t much movement in the standings, and no team is mathematically eliminated. The summer window awaits, and with the end of the Euros and WAFCON coinciding with the restart of the season, expect some major moves to shake up the league as teams make a push for the Top 8. Speaking of, check this space for all the important goals from our Shea Butter Ballers from The Euros, WAFCON, and Copa America Femenina. We’ve seen some great action so far and we know there’s more to come.

UEFA Women’s Euros

Spain 5, Portugal 0 - Vicky Lopez 7

Netherlands 3, Wales 0 - Esme Brugts 57

France 2, England 1 - Marie Antoinette Katoto 36, Sandy (Not Charli) Baltimore 39

Switzerland 2, Iceland 0 - Alayah Pilgrim 90

Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON)

Zambia 2, Morocco 2 - Barbra Banda 1, Rachael Kundananji 27

Nigeria 3, Tunisia 0 - Asisat Oshoala 4, Rinsola Babajide 45+1, Chinwendu Ihezuo 84

South Africa 2, Ghana 0 - Linda Motlhalo 28 (P), Jermaine Seoposenwe 34

Senegal 4, DR Congo 0 - Mama Diop 5, 22, Nguenar Ndiaye 13, 40

National Women’s Soccer League

North Carolina Courage 2, Houston Dash 1 - Jaedyn Shaw 71

Gotham FC 2, Bay FC 1 - Geyse 83

Other International Goals

United States 4, Ireland 0 - Alyssa Thompson 63

United States 4, Ireland 0 - Lynn Biyendolo 11, Yazmeen Ryan 66, Alyssa Thompson 86

United States 3, Canada 0 - Yazmeen Ryan 89

France 3, Brazil 2 - Luany 7, Kerolin 12, Grace Geyoro 45, 56, Marie Antoinette Katoto 76

Panama 1, Australia 0 - Sherline King 59

Notable Goals

It’s tournament time for many of our goal scorers, so all goals feel notable this go round. However, a few points of note. Lynn Biyendolo wore the captain’s armband for the USWNT for the first time, and scored the first, and game winning, goal of that match. If you do not know Lynn’s story, it’s one of the better ones in US Soccer. Barbra Banda scored one minute in to her WAFCON tournament, one she missed last go round. Zambia is one of the favorites and she and Rachael Kundananji are a big reason why. Sherline King scored the game winning goal in a friendly win that may be one of Panama’s bigger victories in recent memory. They have some talent, now let’s hope their federation gets behind them for the next cycle.

Black In Action: Alayah Pilgrim

What I knew of Alayah Pilgrim coming into the Euros was limited, but not non-existent. I knew she played for Roma in the first division, and is wildly popular without necessarily living up to the hype, yet. She seems to have saved all her energy for the home Euros, where she has become a super sub in just two matches for Switzerland. The host nation was not picked by most to get out of the group, but thanks to inspired performances by their younger guns like Sydney Schertenleib, Iman Beney, and Alayah Pilgrim, they are on the cusp of making the knockout rounds. Their reward would likely be the reigning World Cup champions, but just getting to the next round would be a success for the host. More importantly, they know they have young players who aren’t afraid of the moment and who possess a level of audacity needed to help a small nation improve. What I like about this goal is Pilgrim had been hunting for one the moment she subbed in. Watching from the bench, she saw the exact spaces Iceland was leaving open and got herself there with her pace and tired legs on the defense. She is wide receiver on a blown coverage open, and she is able to take her time with no defenders stepping to her. Her cutback freezes the keeper and leaves the defender in a hopeless position, on the ground. It’s one of the best goals of the tournament thus far, and it is an announcement that Pilgrim may have finally arrived.

Anatomy of a Goal: Sandy (Not Charli) Baltimore

I don’t even have a breakdown for this goal, because so much of it is about the shambolic defending. I just wanted to post this because I have cackled at this too many times to count. But also because I am very much on the Sandy Baltimore is a Top 5 Ballon d’Or candidate this season. She was easily Chelsea’s best player this season (I know Cuthbert won POTS and, I get it, it’s Erin) and is one of France’s best players in the last year. She cannot stop scoring or creating, even when played out of position (#SoniaOut). This is my kind of carrying on, and I hope you all enjoy it as well. Top bins!

Cultural Cuts: Keyon Monté Interview

SBFC Kansas City Reporter Thom Persley had the honor of interviewing Keyon Monté, the designer of the Juneteenth shirt worn for the Kansas City Current’s Juneteenth match against Angel City FC. As we work to make this a space where we celebrate our art and our joy, please take a moment to learn about Keyon’s work and what inspired his design. Don’t forget to follow and support him on Instagram and all social media.

_{The interview transcript is posted below for those who may need it. Please note all grammatical errors are my own, as I wanted to leave the transcript as accurate as possible.} 

Keyon Monté Interview Article and Transcript

by Thom (Thombomb) Persley

The equinox announces summer loudly with the sun beating down without mercy. While the heat is making us all sweat, there is a warm summer wind that blows across the plaza of CPKC Stadium. For most, this is a welcome respite from the high temperatures. For Keyon Monté, KC Current’s Culture Shaker, Difference Maker for Juneteenth, it is a hindrance to executing his vision. He is working to get a photo of model Cyndi Stanford, a tall Black model with glowing skin and a tightly curled afro that swayed with majesty in the breeze. She is wearing a green blazer coming down just above her knees like a skirt. Holding the blazer together is a green belt with a train displaying Keyon’s latest creation like a train. After a brief pause in the wind, the artist is able to get the photo he wants. 

I meet him under a tent displaying his creations. Placards adorn the benches and chairs behind us, telling stories and teaching local Black history. Just two tent’s lengths away, DJ Doop mixes in Boots On the Ground with Come and Talk to Me into Not Like Us, getting Current fans hype as they enter the stadium. This is where I meet Keyon Monté. Below is my interview with him:

Thombomb: What was your major inspiration behind this piece?

Keyon Monté: Well, my major inspiration was Aaron Douglas, who was a Harlem Renaissance artist. One of my favorites. He used a lot of silhouette in his work, and so understanding the players, and what we wanted to do here with Juneteenth, and was talking about aspirations, making sure that there was this idea of little girl being looking at the field and saying, “That could be me one day.” So when I think of Aaron Douglas’s work, I think of aspirations, Black people, excellence, coming and learning from our past and having hope for our futures. I love that. So that’s what I went and did, man. It was something that came about, because my friend, Kyra (Gross, KC Current graphic artist), came to me, and was like ‘Yo, I think you’d be the perfect person for this.’ And so, I’m just happy I was able to do it, and I was happy that I have so many people come in support, getting us to this moment. Oh, my gosh. Look at this.

TB: The turnout is amazing. You mentioned Aaron Douglas as one of your artistic inspirations. Are there any other artistic inspirations that you feel that this particular installation of yours drew from?

KM: Absolutely. So Kahindi Wiley is also a fantastic contemporary artist, and I think that his work is absolutely spectacular, and it’s something that I frew up looking at a lot. So I think that understanding the way he composes things has been something that I have drawn into my work as much as possible. So, yes, you can see a little bit of it is, especially with the patterns and things in the back.

TB: So you mentioned Kyra, was that you’re in with KC Current?

KM: Yes, she’s amazing. She does a lot of the graphic arts here, and then she picks artists that do certain months. Pride, Hispanic Heritage month, Women’s History month. This one was Juneteenth. And she called me and I’m so glad she did

TB: That’s amazing because I keep going back to these photos and I’m thinking, this is so beautiful. I’m just hoping that other teams in the league are also doing something similar to this.

Is there something that you are hoping that the average KC Current fan is gonna take away? Like they’re gonna look at your artwork and say, this what I want you to take away from my art?

KM: What I’d like them to take away from my art today is that what you see here may look modern and may look fresh, but it was something that was pioneered by a Black artist from Kansas a long, long time ago. And so, when they look at the art, I want them to say, who is this artist inspired by? Oh this guy, Aaron Douglas. Oh my gosh. Maybe there’s other people that I would like, you know, from that period, you know, from that period, you know? I think that the Harlem Renaissance should always happen in America. I think that every 10 years or so, and I think it’s happening now, we’re having a Renaissance, if you will, of Black art in America.

TB: What does Juneteenth as a holiday mean to you personally? 

KM: Juneteenth really, really talks about the little bit of the irreverence that we have as people, you, a sense of humor that we have as a people, a sense of rising above it all, a sense of doneness that we have as a people. It really inspires me, and so understanding like, okay, well, we understand that slaves in Texas did not know that they were freed yet. So what can we do to celebrate this? No, we were not all free until this day. And so making sure that we celebrate, not something that was written in a bill, or making sure that we celebrate the things that when we all could celebrate together as a family, as a people, as a nation, and that’s how we celebrate.

TB: And that’s how we celebrate. Keon what are some projects that we can, like, we’ve seen your play, based on/inspired by Duke Ellington. What are some other things that we can look forward to seeing?

KM: Thank you, so the play that was inspired, and also, you see the Harlem Renaissance is a big thing for me. So we’re doing a workshop of that in New York next month. And then also, here in KC, I’m directing and designing a production of Macbeth. It is a brand new piece. It is really amazing people coming together, making this happen. And as a collaboration between myself, my company, Monté Luco, and Terra Studios. We’re coming together and making this happen. It is an immersive production of Macbeth. If you like theater, if you like dance parties, you should come out for this futuristic setting in an abandoned office building downtown. We’re taking over the space. I’m so happy that the people there allowed us to use this space for the time, and we’re gonna get in there, make amazing theater and amazing art. For two weeks starting July 31st and we run until August.

TB: Thank you, Keon, so much for your time, greatly appreciate it.

We chat for a while longer, and the artist is greeted by his father. I excuse myself and let the two bask in the younger’s great day. Later we meet in the KC Current Team Store. A Current fan passes the two of us talking about the t-shirt design. She stops and chimes in “I see a lot of things in here, but this is the most beautiful thing that’s ever been in here.” The artist beams with pride as the patron walks away with an artist signed t-shirt.

Quick Musings on a Spirit Roster by Riss Willett

With the league now in the summer break we can expect some movement from teams before free agency kicks into full gear. The Spirit have made some moves and that includes a new signing that will take up an international spot. On the 17th the Spirit announced the signing of forward Sofia Cantore via transfer from Italy’s Juventus to a three-year deal with a club option for 2028. They also acquired an international slot via trade from Bay FC to put them at a total of 10. They sent $25,000 in allocation money and $75,000 in intraleague transfer funds to Bay FC across this season and next season. The 10th slot remains open and would currently go to Ouleye Sarr if she does come off the season ending injury list. Her contract is up at the end of this season, and she is listed as a free agent.

That brings us to the current list of free agents for the team, as of now Chloe Ricketts, Gabby Carle, Kaylie Collins, Ouleye Sarr, Makenna Morris, and Trinity Rodman. Gabby Carle has already had her club option exercised for 2026. Chloe Ricketts on the other hand did not have her 2026 option exercised, and she hasn’t had much playing time so I’d imagine she wants to go somewhere where she can get those minutes. A great time to be 18 with pro experience, so it will be interesting to see where she lands in the league or elsewhere. The big question on everyone’s mind is Trinity Rodman. The club hasn’t  announced a contract extension and with a salary cap looming it’s tricky to say what will happen with her future at the club.

Teams need to submit a list of players with club options exercised before the free agency window opens on July 1st.  There is sure to be plenty of movement from that list and the question of whether Rodman will remain on that list. It’s a waiting game that will keep a lot of folks on pins and needles, for now we wait and watch. Stay tuned Spirit Fam.

Final Thoughts: On The Anthems We Sing And The Truth We See

It felt odd to root for the US National Teams over the past week. It is hard to see people that look like you, being wildly talented and succeeding a sport where were weren’t always allowed and in which we are still underrepresented. But it also made me reflect on what America is to me. I am the descendent of the enslaved and the enslaver. I do not have another country to claim. I cannot sing another anthem honestly, but I also do not wish to sing mine aloud. I do not believe it’s words. So, what words do I believe are my American reality? Below I have listed three (3) alternates to the Star Spangled Banner, two unexpected, one heavier and more known. I’ll end with a poem and not the speech that gives this edition its title (thought you should listen to or read that as well.

Dipset Anthem - The Diplomats feat. Cam’ron and Juelz Santana

Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You) - UGK feat Outkast 

Lift Every Voice And Sing (The Black National Anthem) arranged by Kirk Franklin

I leave you with a poem by Langston Hughes, one of Black America, and Kansas City’s, most famous sons. I think of him often when I think of what I want the only country I know to be. He wrote these words almost a century ago, and they ring as true now as they did then. Link to this poem can be found here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/147907/let-america-be-america-again

Let America Be America Again

by Langston Hughes

Let America be America again.

Let it be the dream it used to be.

Let it be the pioneer on the plain

Seeking a home where he himself is free.

(America never was America to me.)

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed—

Let it be that great strong land of love

Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme

That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)

O, let my land be a land where Liberty

Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,

But opportunity is real, and life is free,

Equality is in the air we breathe.

(There's never been equality for me,

Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")

Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?

And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?

I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,

I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.

I am the red man driven from the land,

I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek—

And finding only the same old stupid plan

Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the young man, full of strength and hope,

Tangled in that ancient endless chain

Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!

Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!

Of work the men! Of take the pay!

Of owning everything for one's own greed!

I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil.

I am the worker sold to the machine.

I am the Negro, servant to you all.

I am the people, humble, hungry, mean—

Hungry yet today despite the dream.

Beaten yet today—O, Pioneers!

I am the man who never got ahead,

The poorest worker bartered through the years.

Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream

In the Old World while still a serf of kings,

Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true,

That even yet its mighty daring sings

In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned

That's made America the land it has become.

O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas

In search of what I meant to be my home—

For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore,

And Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea,

And torn from Black Africa's strand I came

To build a "homeland of the free."

The free?

Who said the free?  Not me?

Surely not me?  The millions on relief today?

The millions shot down when we strike?

The millions who have nothing for our pay?

For all the dreams we've dreamed

And all the songs we've sung

And all the hopes we've held

And all the flags we've hung,

The millions who have nothing for our pay—

Except the dream that's almost dead today.

O, let America be America again—

The land that never has been yet—

And yet must be—the land where every man is free.

The land that's mine—the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME—

Who made America,

Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain,

Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain,

Must bring back our mighty dream again.

Sure, call me any ugly name you choose—

The steel of freedom does not stain.

From those who live like leeches on the people's lives,

We must take back our land again,

America!

O, yes,

I say it plain,

America never was America to me,

And yet I swear this oath—

America will be!

Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,

The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,

We, the people, must redeem

The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.

The mountains and the endless plain—

All, all the stretch of these great green states—

And make America again!

^{Copyright Credit: Langston Hughes, "Let America be America Again" from The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.  Copyright © 1995 by Langston Hughes.  Reprinted by permission of Harold Ober Associates, Inc.}