1. Chapter 11 Race, Ethnicity, and Sport12
Race, Ethnicity,
and Sport
Chapter 11 Race, Ethnicity, and Sport

2. Chapter Outline Classifications of race and ethnicity
Sport participation among racial and ethnic minorities
Sport and promoting equality
Minorities as sport leaders
Chapter summary

3. Definitions
Race: social category constructed to describe people with genetic similarity
Ethnicity: cultural heritage of a group
Racism: belief in superiority of one race over another
Minority group: in the United States, any group except whites

4. Minority Population and Sport Participation
Refer to tables 12.2 and 12.3 for participation in college and professional sport.
U.S. Latino population is no longer concentrated in a few states.
African American population is growing the most in the South.

5. African American Athletes
Some advances have been made against racism in sport.
In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke through the color barrier and was named MLB Rookie of the Year.
By the 1950s, black sport participation percentages mirrored the black population percentage.
Today, blacks are overrepresented in basketball and football but underrepresented in most sports.

6. Racial Differences in Sport
Biological reasons
Not supported (e.g., Kenyans versus Ethiopians)
Cultural and social reasons
Emphasis on activities varies by culture
Sport as means of social mobility
Many athletic role models
Opportunity structures
Facilities, resources (money, programs)

7. Discussion
Some have talked about a supposed biological superiority of Kenyan athletes in long-distance running.
Why doesn’t anyone talk about a supposed biological superiority of ski jumpers from Finland?

8. Stacking
Some unusual distributions of whites and blacks in certain sport positions cannot be explained by random distribution.
– Whites in “thinking” and “outcome control” positions
– Blacks in speed positions
See table 12.4 for stacking in the NFL.

9. Discussion
Stacking can lead to differences in pay and career longevity. In what sports does stacking still occur?

10. Exploitation of Minority Athletes
Educational shortcomings may be ignored.
Athletes may be promoted through grades regardless of performance.
Athletes may be pressured into “easy” majors.
(continued)

11. Exploitation of Minority Athletes (continued)
Graduation rates are low.
Pro teams and colleges want athletes in school for reasons unrelated to athletes’ best interests.
African American women are exploited due to both race and gender.

12. Latino and Hispanic Athletes
Hispanic: all people whose ethnic heritage is traced to a Spanish-speaking country
Latino or Latina: person of Latin American heritage
Great diversity among Latino groups
Most male Latino and Hispanic athletes recognized for baseball and soccer

13. Asian American Athletes
Along with Latinos, fastest-growing U.S. minority population
Different path from African Americans and Latinos—sport not used as means to economic, social, or educational goals
Different sporting choices due to culture and perhaps body type

14. Native American Athletes
Account for 0.9% of U.S. population.
Poverty rate is 50% on reservations.
Stereotypical, dehumanizing images are used for names, mascots, and logos (now limited by the NCAA).
Native American Sports Council is part of the Olympic movement; North American Indigenous Games are now a big event.

15. Discussion
Why is there resistance to changing mascots from Native American themes to other themes?
Would such resistance arise regarding any other racist themes?

16. Sport as Negative Force in Equality
Pro sport is an unrealistic career goal.
College graduation rate for black male athletes in 2013 was 52%, which was less than in
Black female athletes graduated at a 63% rate in 2013, which was less than in 2009.
Black families are eight times more likely than whites to pressure children into sport.

17. Discussion
Are all black families likely to push their children into sport? What is the effect of socioeconomic status?

18. Sport as a Positive Force in Equality
Sport success is linked to self-confidence (role models can be positive).
Sport offers a way out of poverty for some.
Integration is often easier in sport.
(continued)

19. Sport as a Positive Force in Equality (continued)
School-based sport programs are free.
Unique travel possibilities raise awareness.
Sport encourages a healthy lifestyle.

20. Minorities as Sport Leaders
Few collegiate coaches are minorities (per the annual race report card from the University of Central Florida).
See tables 12.7 and 12.8.
Minority owners are even fewer, though there are some (e.g., Jordan, Moreno).

21. Ways to Promote Diversity in Sport
Collect and report data.
Require leaders to report racism.
Spur major sport organizations to include minorities at all levels.
(continued)

22. Ways to Promote Diversity in Sport (continued)
Spur media to recruit minority journalists.
Get government support for programs.
Adopt nondiscrimination policies.