9 Notebook for Module 3

Exercise 2: Notebook Prompt In about 50-70 words, consider Joel Bervell’s question: why do we feel the need to extrapolate the athleticism of one Black athlete to all Black people when we do not do the same for white athletes?

Try to think of examples when this happens, making sure to reflect on your own positionality.

In the world of sports and athletics, this question points out a double standard. Saying that when a black athlete is good at a sport, people often assume that all black people must be naturally good at that same sport. However, when a white athlete is great, people usually see it as that person’s individual talent and hard work. Two great examples of this are running and basketball. I think it is partially because some of the greatest of all time in these sports are black athletes, which doesn’t make this idea true but may be why some people believe it to be true.

Exercise 3: Notebook Prompt What are some strategies for resistance that Rajack and Joseph identify in their article as a means of pushing back against and resisting misogynoir?

Some strategies for resistance that Rajack and Joseph identify in their article as self-representation and narrative control where Osaka openly embraces her mixed identity. Another strategy is the use of social media where it is used to challenge negative portrayals and share positive stories. There is also celebration of culture where Osaka proudly embraces her identity by publicly connecting with her roots and celebrates her cultural background.

Exercise 3: Padlet Prompt Do athletes have a responsibility to use their platform for social change? Why or why not? Please remember to record your response in both the padlet below and in your Notebook. 

I believe that athletes do have a responsibility to use their platform for social change. I think this because when people have a large platform and a lot of people respect them or are fans they can do wonderful things with fame or persuasion. They can promote social change and be leaders by informing the public on ways that they can also help change. Such as promoting charities, or informing people on how to become educated on certain topics, or just generally promoting good ideals for people to consider.

Exercise 5: Notebook Prompt What do the authors of the article call for as a way of challenging how mainstream sports journalism privileges neoliberal feminist concerns? (100 words max.)

The authors call for feminist sports media scholars to tell stories differently as a way to challenge how mainstream sports journalism privileges neoliberal feminist concerns. They suggest disrupting traditional narratives and expanding the definition of sports media to include diverse voices and perspectives, which then challenge dominant stories and make feminist narratives more visible.

Exercise 6: Padlet Poll

Read this story by Ramsey Khabbaz contrasting the NFL stance on athlete activism with that of the NBA, especially in regards to BLM. Do sports leagues hold when it comes to BLM? Please respond to the padlet poll and record a brief rationale for your answer there in the space below. Remember to respond collegially to a classmate’s point (you may need to circle back at a later time if you are one of the first to post).

Sports have a big responsibility to support the BLM movement because they are influential in shaping public opinion and culture. Sports leagues reach millions of people worldwide, which means they can spread important messages about social justice. By supporting BLM, they can help raise awareness about racism and inspire positive change. Following this, most NBA and NFL are black and by supporting BLM it shows respect and solidarity with these althletes, acknowledging their esperiences and struggles outside of sports. Also, leagues make huge profits from black players and culture, this means they have a responsibility to support the communities they benefit from.

In your Notebook, analyze the representation of a racialized athlete activist in a show (television or film or novel) of your choosing.  What strategies do athetes employ to speak out? What is the commentary on athletes using their voices in these shows? How do race and/or gender or other *identities inform this representation? How do these representations shape how we understand the sports themselves?

In Cool Runnings, the Jamaican bobsled team uses subtle yet powerful strategies to speak out against stereotypes and racial prejudice. They do not protest directly but instead use humor, pride in their culture, and determination to challenge people’s biases. For example, they refuse to change who they are to fit in, like when they reject the idea to “act more like the Swiss”. Just by staying true to themselves and competing on a global stage, they push back against stereotypes about who belongs in winter sports.

This connects to Rajack and Joseph’s idea that athlete activism can take different forms, including subtle ways of resisting cultural norms (Rajack & Joseph, 2020). In the movie the team doesn’t make political speeches but shows activism by proudly embracing their identity and challenging others’ low expectations. This illustrates that activism isn’t always loud or confrontational, it can also be about showing up and thriving in spaces where people of culture aren’t expected to succeed. Rajack and Joseph explain that activism can be about breaking sterotypes just by being present and visible in certain spaces (Rajack & Joseph, 2020).

Race and identity are central to how the movie portrays the team. They face racism and disrespect from other teams and officials, showing the challenges of being Black athletes in a predominantly white sport. They instead respond with humour and unity, using their friendship and cultural pride as a way to resist prejudice. This representation of Black joy and solidarity is a subtle form of activism that fights against sterotypes. Rajack and Joseph discuss how activism by athletes of colour is often overlooked or shown differently than activism by white athletes (Rajack & Joseph, 2020).

This film changes how we see sports by challenging the idea of who belongs in winter sports, and by doing activism in nonconventional ways. The team’s journey shows that success isn’t just about winning but about representing their culture and breaking down racial barriers. Cool Runnings helps expand people’s ideas of what witer athletes can look like. This supports Rajack and Joseph’s point that visibility and representation are powerful tools in athlete activism, as they challenge stereotypes and create a more inclusive view of sports.