Amity Rockwell's Statement Regarding DK
Following the overwhelmingly critical response to a social media post by DK founder Jim Cummings, and his subsequent firing by the event’s parent company Lifetime, the gravel community has continued to pressure the event’s leadership for meaningful change amid the current Black Lives Matter movement following the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020.
Among those calling for change include Amity Rockwell, the event’s defending female champion. Below is her statement shared on Instagram today, along with a number of specific requests.
Link HERE if you would like to sign the Change.org petition calling for DK to change its name.
Amity Rockwell races for the 2020 Easton Overland Gravel Team / PC: @zackpianko
Statement by Amity Rockwell
Hello fellow cyclists and human beings - I feel the need to make it clear to the community where I stand in light of recent events regarding a 200 mile race I won last June. Winning that race changed my life and it is how many of you were introduced to me. For that I am grateful.
I was ignorant. At the time of my participation in the race I was unaware that its name was and remains problematic and hurtful. Ignorance of these issues is a privilege and makes me complicit in their ongoing use and consequent pain inflicted.
It is therefore my responsibility, as someone directly tied to this event and someone who uses its name regularly, to not only stop using the name, effective immediately, but to be an active voice pushing for its swift removal and satisfactory replacement.
I have been spending the last few days having long conversations over email and phone with leaders of Lifetime Fitness, DK, and members of our community. I have communicated to the race leadership my own feelings as well as those of my friends and teachers, and the actions that we feel are necessary to take. I feel like I have had their attention and time in these conversations and am hopeful for meaningful change.
Among my requests were:
a change of name
an open dialogue with the Kaw community and offering of involvement and compensation
no questions-asked refunds for entries
removing the lottery requirement for BIPOC competitors and introduction of a program to sponsor entries
and a public apology denouncing racism.
I have seen DK’s ongoing efforts to welcome women and make their path to the race easier, and have asked that they extend the same effort and thought into welcoming diversity. I have been reassured that many of these things were already in motion and will come to fruition soon. I know there are many people before me who have asked for these same things and have put a lot more time and energy into their realization, but hope that my added voice will help their progress.
Hurt takes time to heal. I see and hear those of you who are angry and hurting and I apologize, for not seeing the scope of these issues clearly until this hurt had already been caused. That is a fault of mine that I have to accept, denounce, and move forward from with clear concise action. I did not want to rush into a statement until I had put in the time necessary to let DK and Lifetime know where I stand, and help them grow towards a place of genuine inclusivity.
I have made it clear to this race that these changes are imperative to my continued participation in and promotion of this event. I henceforth will refer to the race as “DK” in conversation until a suitable replacement name exists. Please know that my messages are always open to discuss, know that I am here to have these conversations and put in the time and effort needed to create an understanding and empathetic environment, for everyone.
I thank you all for holding me accountable. May we all work towards creating a sport we can be proud of.