Republic of the Philippines

Cagayan State University

www.csu.edu.ph

COLLEGE of HUMAN KINETICS

Lesson 2-Racism in sports

Introduction
Racism is when someone thinks different skin color or religion beliefs make
some people better than others.

Racists bully people who are different to them. They do this by name-calling
or violence.

Learning objectives
At the end of the lesson the student must be able to:

a. Define racism
b. Familiarize the different racism in sports.
c. How big is the problem with racism in the past
decades

Discussion
Racism in sports has been a prevalent issue throughout the world, and in
particular racism towards African-Americans has been especially bad over
the course of the history of sports in the United States and around the world.

Racism in sport – from coaching to commentary, grassroots to stadiums –

mirrors the inequalities in society and only structural upheaval across its
governing bodies will achieve any lasting change

What is racism?

Racism is the belief that one race is superior or inferior to each other. It is
usually based on inheritable traits, abilities and qualities.

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 Race

– Involves reference to physical traits

– BUT is based on meanings that people have given to those

particular physical traits

 Ethnicity

– Not based on physical traits

– Based on characteristics associated with cultural traditions and

background

 Minority group

– A socially identified group that experiences discrimination and

suffers social disadvantages

Types of racism

1. Direct racism- where a person is treated unfairly on the basis of

their origin.

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COLLEGE of HUMAN KINETICS

2. Indirect racism- when a person or group is treated unfairly, but the

discrimination is not as obvious.
3. Institutional racism- when discrimination exists within institutions like
the police, schools or businesses.
4. Islamophobia- Discrimination against islam or muslims, gained
publicity since 9/11

Integration of racism in sports

Racism still exists within the leagues and is still an ongoing matter of
contention

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1. Verbal attacks with racists slurs

2. Exclusion

3. Refusal of integrity and respect (sportsmanship)

4. Media's negative portrayals

Racism in Sport

The Black Athlete – View of the Past

1. Only white athletes were allowed to play on major league baseball

teams

2. Black athletes played in Negro Leagues

3. Jackie Robinson – first black baseball player to play in the major

leagues

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COLLEGE of HUMAN KINETICS

Racial Discrimination against African Americans in Sports

1. Were subjected to racial taunts, discriminatory treatment, exclusion,

and bigotry

2. Exceptional athletically and academically, a few males were the first to

integrate sports.

3. Moses Walker, who played catcher for Oberlin College and the
University of Michigan in 1881-1883, was the first to play at a
Caucasian institution.

4. William Lewis, who played center-rush for Harvard University, was the
first named an All-American in 1892 and 1893.

Continued Racial Discrimination

 Historically Black colleges and universities and segregated leagues

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 Subjected to: withheld from games; violence; exclusion with
“gentleman’s agreements;” stacking; and quotas

Oklahoma State’s Wilbanks Smith viciously hit Drake’s Johnny

Bright in the face with his fist.

All-American Paul Robeson

Confronting Racial Discrimination

 Succeeding against unbelievable odds

 The watershed event of the 1966 NCAA men’s basketball championship

game

 Athletes fighting for their rights, such as through boycotts and

demanding equitable treatment

Academic Exploitation of African Americans in Sports

 Post-World War II, they were recruited mostly for their athletic skills.

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 Segregated schools, non-college-preparatory curricula, and socio-
economic factors led to poor academic preparation for college.

 Many majored in eligibility rather than obtained college degrees.

The Black Athlete - Progress

 Progress has been made leading to a significant increase in black

athlete representation

 However, the majority of people in power (e.g., team owners) are

white, so the possibility of unequal access still exists

Race Ideology in Sports Today

Race logic encourages people to

 “See” sport performances in racial terms, i.e., in terms of skin color

 Use whiteness as the taken-for-granted standard

 Explain the success or failure of people with dark skin in racial terms

 Do studies to “discover” racial difference

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Other Victims of Discrimination

Disabilities and Sport

 Traditionally people with disabilities have been segregated in our

society and sports

 Determination shown by Terry Fox, Rick Hansen, and others has led to
highlighted attention of achievements of disabled athletes

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COLLEGE of HUMAN KINETICS

 Changes that allowed disabled individuals to become less segregated
members of our society:

– Crippled, handicapped, retarded à disabled

– More sporting events are being offered

– Bill C-62

– More ramps and accessibility

– Others?

Gay Athletes

 Professional sport is highly male, heterosexual, and homophobic

 “Coming out” in a sporting environment puts individual’s social status,

family and fan affection, and even success at risk

 Dave Kopay (1976) - First North American athlete to “come out”

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Gay Games

 Formed in 1982

 Since then their popularity has increased tremendously

 People of all sexual orientations are welcomed

 Key philosophy: PARTICIPATION, SUPPORT, INCLUSIVENESS AND

ENJOYMENT

 This philosophy is opposite to conventional international competitions,

which stress exclusion and ranking

Homophobia in Sports

 Popular discourse erases the existence of gay men and lesbians in

sports

 Gay men and lesbians challenge the two-category gender classification

system

 Being “out” in sports creates challenges

– Women risk acceptance

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COLLEGE of HUMAN KINETICS

– Men risk acceptance and physical safety

 Most people in sports hold a “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy concerning
homosexuality

Moral Justifications Used to Defend Unethical Actions in Sport and

Society

 Try to make it seem that the unethical action is really ethical, such as
by claiming there is no rule against it, no one will ever know, or
everyone else does it.

 State that the action is not really unethical since no one was really
harmed or no foul was called or penalty assessed.

 Argue that while a rule was violated, the situation along with the
amount of good accomplished overshadowed the small amount of
harm; that is, the end justifies the means.

Sports Are a Reflection of Societal Values

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 While sports have been praised for leading positive societal changes,
such as reducing discriminatory treatment of African Americans, today
sports reflect society’s cheating culture.

 Commercialized sports, especially as popularized by the media,

entertain Americans, many of whom are obsessed by winning and
cheer for athletes and coaches who do whatever it takes to win.

Solutions

 Support women’s and girls’ sports as a fan or player. Attend women’s

sports games at all levels. Play a sport if you are an athlete. Support
female athletes by watching their games on television or following
them on social media.

 Develop gender equity policies. Sports organizations need to work

towards gender equity. Women doing equal work should have equal
participation opportunities, financial aid or funding, wages and benefits
as their male counterparts.

 Avoid sexist language in communications. When writing about

women’s sports, avoid using innuendos or belittling athletes by
alluding to their outfits or family roles outside the game. Use the same
vivid language when describing both female and male athletes’
performances.

 Establish a whistle blower program. An easy-to-use, secure and

anonymous whistleblowing platform can capture discrimination and
harassment complaints in your sports organization. Coming forward to
expose unfair practices can be daunting, so maintaining
whistleblowers’ security and privacy is key.

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www.csu.edu.ph

COLLEGE of HUMAN KINETICS

 Hire more female sports executives. Encouraging women to pursue
careers as players, coaches, trainers, executives and journalists can
push sports towards gender equity.

Enrichment activities
Name: ______________________________________________ Date: _______________

Year and section: _______________________________ Score: ______________

Instruction: read the questions and write the answers in space provided.

Identification: read and write the answer in space provided.

1. ___________Gay Games Formed in what year?

2. ___________First North American athlete to “come out
3. ___________who played catcher for Oberlin College and the University of
Michigan in 1881-1883, was the first to play at a Caucasian institution.
4. ___________who played center-rush for Harvard University, was the first
named an All-American in 1892 and 1893.
5. ___________first black baseball player to play in the major leagues
6. ___________Discrimination against islam or muslims, gained publicity
since 9/11
7. ___________when a person or group is treated unfairly, but the
discrimination is not as obvious.
8. ___________where a person is treated unfairly on the basis of their
origin.
9. ___________when discrimination exists within institutions like the police,
schools or businesses.
10. ___________ is the belief that one race is superior or inferior to
each other. It is usually based on inheritable traits, abilities and
qualities.

Self-Assessment Question
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Campus
 Republic of the Philippines
Cagayan State University
www.csu.edu.ph

COLLEGE of HUMAN KINETICS

Essay

1. Why racisms are big problem in sports explain your thoughts?

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2. As a student how do you promote bullying free in sports?
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3. Do you believe that whites or non-whites are more encouraged
to play professional sports by agents of socialization, including
their peers, family members, people in their educational
experience, and in the media? Are there certain sports that
certain races are more encouraged to pursue? If so, why do you
think this occurs? Explain your position using at least one
example to support your discussion.

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www.csu.edu.ph

COLLEGE of HUMAN KINETICS

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Note: Enrichment activity and self-assessment question, Follow this outline

write the questions and answer in a short bond paper write eligibly deduction
in score if not. Take a clear photo of it and submit it to me!

Reference:

a. John Nauright, David K Wiggins (2017), Routledge Handbook of Sport,

Race and Ethnicity, Routledge
b. Paul M. Anderson (1996Racism in Sports: A Question of Ethics,
Marquette University Law School

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Cagayan State University
www.csu.edu.ph

COLLEGE of HUMAN KINETICS

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