“Twin Flames: The George Floyd Uprising from Minneapolis to Phoenix” sparks inspiration for Coach Adair and ASU Women’s Basketball
“Twin Flames: The George Floyd Uprising from Minneapolis to Phoenix,” is a memorial exhibit constructed from the real messages and sentiments of protesters during the wake of George Floyd’s murder. On display for the first time ever outside of Minnesota, “Twin Flames” will be exhibited at the ASU Art Museum until July 28, 2024.
As you enter the room, you are met with a summary of the exhibit, briefly detailing the tragic murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Officers on May 25, 2020. The writing is clean, professional and very in depth. It states, “ASU Art Museum presents ‘Twin Flames’ because of our belief in the power of creativity and imagination as vehicles for fostering healing and understanding.”
It is a strong juxtaposition to what is inside.
As you begin to walk around the room, and see the messages, things become much more raw and personal. Ripped banners and dented cardboard signs read “I can’t breathe,” and “My life matters.” They still bear dirt, some with their sides still molded to the shape of hands. Real pieces of real people, all voicing their spectrum of emotion, outrage and disappointment.
In the center of the room is a monument. A large fist raised high, in a sign of solidarity. Around each plank of wood making the “arm” lay pictures of those like George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery who have lost their life due to racism and police brutality, as well as symbols and flags for other marginalized communities. Each of these sides intersected into the large fist which holds a red, black and green flag that symbolizes pan-African unity.
In the summary and in the exhibit itself, it is the same story. They are both about George Floyd, and the many people like him who have tragically lost their lives due to systemic racism and police violence. The major difference is that one tells the story like a history book, the other tells the history of this violence as seen through the story of those experiencing it. It opens a personal window into the lives of those affected.
It is perfectly culminated as you walk to leave, seeing the large banner above the door reading “This is our collective PTSD.” The exhibit is the story that doesn't always make the history books, the millions of people living with that experience, and many like it, burned into their head. It encapsulates the pain of this experience, but much more-so it captures the hope of a brighter future through the passion and determination of those messages.
It takes that pain and struggle, and uses it as a new perspective, one that focuses on community, support and the power that people can create when they come together. A message that ASU Women’s Basketball Coach Natasha Adair directly alluded to when she addressed an excited crowd of Sun Devils at the ASU Art Museum on June 15, 2024.
Through a series of questions with ASU Global Sports Institute Director Dr. Scott Brooks, Coach Adiar addressed a crowd of Sun Devil Supporters in an event tied to the George Floyd Twin Flames Memorial. Coach Adair wove an inspiring story of her life, her struggles growing up and how she channeled community and faith into her coaching career.
Ultimately, it led her to the day of George Floyd’s murder, and a challenge for her to further step into her position as a leader.
“When you talk about leadership, it’s not so much your role. It’s your purpose,” was Coach Adair’s response toward how she handled the sensitive time-period after the murder of George Floyd. “At that time of social unrest, there’s uncertainty, there’s confusion, and there’s Covid… and as a leader you don’t always have to have all the answers, but operate in humanity.”
At the time of George Floyd’s murder, Adair was coaching at the University of Delaware, and she recalled the emotional weight of such a moment. Coach Adair explained her strategy at the time was to be present and open to her team’s feelings. Emphasizing her role and purpose as a leader for these young student athletes, not in name alone, but by example.
“We got everyone on Zoom,” Coach Adair continued. “And I told my staff prior to this, ‘This will not be an open kind of dialogue. I am not going to get on Zoom and tell them my position or how I feel. I want to listen.’ I only asked two questions, ‘How are you feeling?’ The second question was, ‘What do you need from me?’”
Coach Adair spoke on how many players provided insightful and thoughtful answers to both their feelings and what they needed. Ultimately, the consensus from the team was that they needed direction and guidance from Coach Adair. They didn’t “just want to be a hashtag,” they wanted to educate themselves on the issue and create an impact within their community.
“We taught our young people through crisis, through adversity,” Coach Adair said. “When you come together, you can attack everything head on. With the right people, the right plan, and the right purpose.”
Coach Adair continues to bring this energy to the ASU Women’s Basketball program as she looks toward her third season as head coach. Referencing her team, her administration and their collective leadership and faith, Coach Adair is confident that all the pieces have come together to make the 2024-2025 season very special.
Working with Senior Associate Athletics Director Deana Garner-Smith and the ASU Art Museum, Coach Adair wanted to put on an inspiring event that would connect supporters to a deeper sense of community. One that would let Sun Devils know the culture and mindset that ASU Women’s Basketball is heading into the future with.
“I have to give credit to Deana for presenting that idea to me, and the ASU art Museum for hosting it,” Adair said in an interview after the event. “It was a complete team effort amongst groups. And speaking of that support from the community, it was a great turnout.”
“We're always also looking for opportunities for our program and our student-athletes to get out in the community, to serve,” Coach Adair continued. “I always talk about us being servant leaders. You know, as much as we are competitors and you're going to see our players compete on the big stage, it's nothing like us rolling up our sleeves and getting into the fabric of the community and figuring out ways that we can serve, ways that we can lead, and ways that we can help.”
Coach Adair finished by letting the Sun Devil Community know that the ASU Women’s Basketball team is ready to walk the walk.
“If there are any opportunities for our program to get out into the community and serve, please, please let us know,” Adair said.
Through leadership and support, Coach Adair has worked hard to create an environment where her players feel seen and encouraged to take action. In doing this Coach Adair and the ASU Women’s Basketball team hopes to inspire a similar environment within the ASU community. Demonstrating what it means to be a part of the Sun Devil community and showing commitment in the face of adversity.
For Sun Devil fans interested in supporting the ASU Women’s Basketball team, check out their Instagram for season information, and get your season tickets here!