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Section One: The Fundamentals
A) Keywords
Exercise 1:
Briefly (in 100 words or less) define one of the keywords in the padlet (including one that you. may have added yourself).
| Critical race theory is a framework that looks at how race and racism are embedded in policies, social structures and legal systems. It challenges the idea that racism is just individual bias, instead showing the systemic inequalities that give dominant groups the advantage. It shines light on the lived experiences of marginalized communities, challenges colourblind policies and looks into how power and law uphold racial hierarchies. Structural racism,, interest convergence and intersectionality are just a few of the key concepts. Critical race theory is used in fields such as sociology and education. It is used to analyze and address racial injustice and promote equity.
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B) Representing Race
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.
| The question shows racial stereotyping. Black athletic success happens due to innate physical ability, while white athletes are often praised for intelligence, strategy and discipline. For example, Lamar Jackson, a black quarterback in the NFL is often called a ‘natural athlete,’. While Tom Brady is praised for his intelligence and poise. Reflecting my own positionality, it is important to challenge these biases and contemplate on how systemic narratives shape perceptions of ability and race.
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C) Gender, Race & Sport
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?
| Rajack and Joseph identified several strategies that were used to push back against and resist misogynoir. They talk about self definition and narrative control. Osaka eagerly reclaims her identity by taking about her multicultural background. She also uses her platform to fight against narratives that try to box in her into definitive racial or national categories. The act of asserting her own identity is how she is able to resist the misrepresentation and erasure that is imposed on her by mainstream media.
Another means of pushing back is strategic silence and selective engagement. Osaka picks and chooses when to engage with the media. She has even withdrawn from media engagements at times. This disrupts the expectation that athletes -typically black women -must be always available for public probing. By refusing to comply with media demands, it not only protects her mental health. It challenges exploitative media practices. Digital activism and community support is another one. Social media allows athletes, fans and activists to push back against biased portrayals, challenge misogynoir and augment Osaka’s voice. Social media creates a space that celebrates black women athletes and shed light on the sexism and structural racism they face on the daily. Finally, another strategy that plays a role in resistance is allyship and institutional accountability. Advocating for fair representation, calling out media bias and assembling allies within sport and journalist organizations can aid in the disassembly of systemic misogynoir. Through these various strategies, Osaka and many other black women athletes disrupt normalized media practices and create pathways for more equitable representation.
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Section Two: Making Connections
A) Athlete Activism
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 do not believe that athletes have a responsibility to use their platform for social change. I do not believe that they should feel obligated, it should be their own personal choice. Athletes in general have significant societal influence, so when they do choose to weigh in on social issues, their voice means something. Not to mention, athletes come from a number of different backgrounds, places and cultures. By using their various voices, we would be able to hear from many different perspectives and viewpoints. From what I have seen throughout the course so far, athletes sharing their personal experiences, views and insights have provided more depth to the course and given me more to think about. But, while having a large platform means a lot of love and support, this also comes with almost an equivalent amount of hate, rumors and misinformed information. This could steer athletes away from speaking their mind and truths about social issues. Brand deals and endorsements could be limited, fans could turn to haters, etc. Athletes are human just like us, no one likes to be an outcast or to be hated. But I believe, if athletes are able to find the strength within themselves, speaking out on social issues like racism, discrimination and various others, society as a whole can change for the better.
B) Athlete Activism & Feminism
Exercise 4: Complete the activities
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 a shift in sports journalism that moves past neoliberalist feminist concerns (e.g. marketability and individual empowerment). Instead, take on a more intersectional and structural analysis of gender inequality. The authors believe mainstream media typically ignores systemic oppression while focusing on athlete activism surrounding personal resilience. To combat this, they advocate for journalism that shows structural barriers, collective activism and broader social justice movements. Athletes can better engage with these.
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C) Corporate social justice
Exercise 6: Padlet Poll
| The NBA has generally been more supportive of athlete activism. Players have been allowed to speak out at press conferences, wear social justice messages on jerseys and warm up shirts, as well as paint “Black Lives Matter” on courts. To name a few, LeBron James and Chris Paul have repeatedly spoke on racial injustice with the NBA supporting their right to speak out. This shows a history of greater player influence in league decisions and a more progressive stance on social injustice issues than other large professional leagues.
The NFL, in the past, did not have the same relationship with BLM activism. Colin Kaepernick was condemned for his kneeling protest. Critics and teams, including NFL leadership blackballed him, calling his actions ‘unpatriotic,’. The NFL only changed their ways after 2020. The George Floyd protests forced Roger Goodell to acknowledge the league’s past failures and injustices. There are some that argue that the league’s response was only for appearance purposes because players like Kaepernick suffered heavy consequences for taking a stand and were not offered any support. In conclusion, the NBA has taken a more active approach in advocating for social justice, while the NFL has been more reactive and slower in their approach. Sports leagues vary in their commitment to BLM. The goal is for us to all be on the same page and fight for equity.
Response to classmate: Hey! I think you made great points here! I fully agree that sports leagues should play a part in social justice movements such as Black lives matter. Sports leagues, more often than not have a considerable audience that would be willing to hear them out. Supporting social justice movements like BLM could also help the leagues players. Maybe one has experience racism but was afraid to speak out. If the league they play in was to support the BLM movement, it would make players more comfortable and encourage them to speak out on the issues they have seen and face. All of this raises the question: what do you think is the best way for leagues so large like the NBA and NFL to advocate for these systemic issues?
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Section Three: Taking a shot
Module Assignment (submit as part of notebook and separately through Blackboard mini assignment #1 portal)
