Racism in Sport

Race and Racism in Sport

  • Author: Tammy George, Ph.D.

  • Course: KINE 1000

  • Date: Week of November 25th, 2024

Page 2: Issues in Race and Sport

  • Recent Influence of Race in Politics

    • Donald Trump’s election highlights race issues.

    • Significant events: Deaths of George Floyd, James Blake, and Ahmad Arbery.

  • Colin Kaepernick's Protests

    • Race-based protests gaining traction in the NBA and other leagues related to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.

  • Don Cherry's Controversy

    • Discussion on the cultural importance of hockey in Canada amidst race issues.

Page 3: Starting Frame of Reference

  • Anti-Racist Perspective

    • Acknowledges that we live in a racist society and emphasizes the need for action.

  • Aim of the Course

    • To challenge and transform racialized power dynamics.

  • Reflection Questions

    • Consider personal experiences with race and racism.

    • Explore the impact of race on sports, health, and physical activity.

    • Understand why knowledge of race and racism is crucial for careers in health, sport, and kinesiology.

Page 4: Concept of Race

  • Definition of Race

    • Social construct based on physical, biological, and social characteristics such as skin color, hair type, and accents.

    • Race is created through social interactions rather than being a natural truth.

Page 5: Understanding Racialization

  • Definition and Implications of Racialization

    • Racialization involves creating categories that perceive certain groups as different and inferior based on external features.

    • Consequences include adverse social, economic, health, and political outcomes.

    • Importance of addressing racialization issues.

Page 6: Definition of Racism

  • Racism as a Construct

    • Goes beyond discriminatory attitudes to actions that marginalize and oppress individuals both personally and institutionally.

  • Source: Canadian Race Relations Foundation, 2009.

Page 7: Systemic and Structural Racism

  • Key Questions

    • Identifying structural, institutional, and systemic forms of racism versus individual instances.

  • Nature of Systemic Racism

    • Often unconscious and ingrained in laws and policies, leading to widespread unfair treatment.

    • Reflects historical injustices and ongoing discrimination.

Page 8: The Myth of Colourblindness

  • Definition of Colourblindness

    • Premise: Not recognizing race or class distinctions to be fair.

  • Pitfalls of Colourblind Approach

    • May overlook individual needs and lead to unintentional oppression.

    • Ignoring historical context fails to address present-day challenges faced by individuals.

Page 9: Importance of Examining Race in Sport

  • Society and Sport

    • Sport reflects societal structures; it demonstrates how race shapes our understanding of representation in athletics.

  • Power Dynamics

    • Race and cultural perceptions are reproduced in sport and can serve as avenues for resistance and social change.

Page 10: Power Relations in Sport

  • Understanding Social Constructs

    • Social constructions are phenomena we shape through our interactions.

    • These constructs about race adjust over time and must be analyzed within political, economic, and social contexts.

  • Tracing Power Dynamics

    • Importance of analyzing embedded power relations and their societal implications.

Page 11: Racism in the NFL

  • Incident with Tim Ryan

    • Radio commentator suspended for racially insensitive remarks about Lamar Jackson.

    • Ryan's comments exemplify perpetuation of racial stereotypes and their implications in sport.

Page 12: Debunking the Myth of the "Natural" Black Athlete

  • Myths of Black Athletic Superiority

    • The idea that Black individuals possess innate physical abilities supports racial stereotypes.

    • Geneticists assert that racial identity does not equate to genetic identity; variations within racial groups are greater than those between groups.

Page 13: Other Racial Myths in Medicine

  • Examples of Common Medical Myths

    • Default Human Myth, higher pain tolerance, drug addiction, disease carriers.

    • Racialized individuals often face systemic racism in healthcare leading to misconceptions and inadequate care.

  • Illustration: Dianna Ejaita.

Page 14: Tiger Woods and Race

  • Historical Context of Race

    • Kelly Tilghman's 2008 comment regarding Tiger Woods highlights lingering issues surrounding race in sports.

    • Encourages reflection on the history of lynching in North America.

Page 15: Tiger Woods – Race and Racism Dynamics

  • The 2009 Tiger Woods Scandal

    • Revealed intersections of race, masculinity, and sports ethics.

    • Notable quotation from Karith Foster on perceptions of Woods as a Black athlete.

Page 16: Relevance of Race in Kinesiology

  • Significance of Racial Understanding in Kinesiology

    • Case study: Joyce Echaquan highlights systemic racism in healthcare.

    • Awareness of anti-Black racism as a public health crisis in Toronto.

    • Resources: "Mind the Gap: A Handbook for Clinical Signs in Black and Brown Skin" by Malone Mukwende.

  • Future Considerations

    • Importance of addressing racial access to health care and sports for community improvement.