An idea that started as a simple fashion statement has turned into something far greater for Mississippi State pitcher Ross Mitchell.
Mitchell, who is 4-0 this year for the Dogs, called his idea “The Movement,” and the sophomore said it has taken on a much deeper meaning for him.
“One day I just tucked my pants in my socks, like a normal day, and I just took a picture to put it on Instagram, and I captioned it ‘Day one of the movement’ just kind of joking around,” Mitchell said. “Then I thought I should have a reason behind ‘The Movement.'”
After attending a Passion Conference in Atlanta over Christmas break, Mitchell said he knew exactly what he should make “The Movement” about.
Each year over one million children are sold into slavery in 161 countries across the globe. Slavery is a major world problem that goes unnoticed year after year, and Mitchell said he intends to bring awareness to it.
“A lot of people don’t know that there are 27 million slaves in the world, which is the most of any time in history,” Mitchell said. “That was on my heart, so I just wanted to do it in support for awareness for the slaves and give them a voice.”
Mitchell has kept up his end of the deal. Even when he walks around campus, his pants will be tucked into his socks. The look has become a symbol for those familiar with “The Movement.” Although Mitchell wants this trend to catch on, he encourages anyone to help in any way in the fight against slavery.
“I am going to try and do it for 365 days, but I want it to get to the point where people know why I am doing it so that maybe they can either join or start their own movement for the slaves just to give them a voice that they don’t have because right now they aren’t heard at all. That’s kind of my purpose,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell has gotten great acceptance from people who have come to find out about “The Movement.” Even MSU’s own athletic director Scott Stricklin joined the movement when posted a picture on Instagram of himself with his pant legs tucked into his socks.
Other MSU baseball players have also joined, including sophomore RHP Will Cox, who also attended the Passion Conference. Cox said he is extremely proud of what Mitchell has been able to accomplish in raising awareness for slavery.
“We’ve got to get the realization of it out there, and that is exactly what Ross Mitchell is doing,” Cox said. “God is moving him in such an amazing way, and it’s a blessing being able to call him a teammate and a brother in Christ.”
For barely being a 10th of the way through the 365-day movement, Mitchell has certainly gained quite a bit of attention. All of the attention helps his cause of raising awareness for the horrors of slavery in the world today. Mitchell said he is happy with “The Movement” so far and hopes when it is over, it will have shined a light on what is one of the most overlooked abominations in today’s society.
“I just want to really encourage people to be aware of it,” said Mitchell. “I want people to know that it is real and it is all over the world and even in America. I want to encourage people to do something or at least bring awareness to it somehow. I encourage people to hop on board.”
State will host two events to increase awareness for slavery. Run to Rescue, which includes a 5K run and a one-mile fun run, will take place Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Junction.
The MSU Student Association is hosting a Stand for Freedom Thursday at 3 p.m. in which students will stand for 27 hours to honor the 27 million slaves worldwide.