Adena Andrews.com

Mariah Stackhouse is the only black woman in the field of 156 competing in the US Open LPGA tour. At 17, she is also the fifth youngest player. When things like this happen, it tells me we still have a long way to go. A black president was the ultimate goal. Now it’s time to work our way down and sprinkle some color into  be predominately white worlds.

Players like Mariah inspire me too because I see a bit of myself in her. African-Americans in predominately white sports are often cut off at the knees when they first start their sport. Growing up as a swimmer I was repeatedly told by classmates and friends, “Black people don’t swim. Especially black girls.” My personal favorite was“How can you get your hair wet?” I could have listened to those comments and stopped swimming because it wasn’t the popular thing. However, my parents (just like Mariah’s parents) encouraged me to succeed in the pool. I won county titles, was recruited by universities and turned my skills into the ultimate summer job as a beach lifeguard and was the only black competitor at the triathlon I did for espnW in March. I didn’t achieve the type of success Mariah has but I’m encouraged that she didn’t let society dictate what she would be and blazed her own trail.