3
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).
| Intersectionality, a word defined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, which means that people can face multiple types of unfair treatment at the same time because of different parts of their identity, like gender, race, religion, or disability. For example, a Muslim woman who wears a hijab might face both sexism and religious discrimination. She could be treated unfairly at work, not just because she’s a woman, but also because of stereotypes about her religion. A non-Muslim woman might face sexism, but she would not deal with the same religious bias. She created the idea of intersectionality to show that unfair treatment is not always simple or the same, it can be caused by multiple things at once. Understanding this helps make rules and workplaces fairer for everyone, instead of just focusing on one type of discrimination at a time. |
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.
| It frustrates me how people assume a Black athlete’s success is just natural talent, and assume they didn’t work for it. Now when a white athlete is great, everyone talks about their hard work and dedication. It’s such a double standard. It takes away from the hours of training, sacrifice, and effort that go into being the best you can be. I think it is very unfair how Black excellence gets reduced to genetics while white athletes get to be seen as individuals. Being great at sports is not about race it’s about skill, discipline, and resilience. Every athlete deserves credit for the work they put in, to be great at their sport. For example Serena Williams’ intensity in tennis is often classified as her natural strength and genetics, while Maria Sharapova is often noticed for her work ethic and strategic play, this is ignoring Serena’s intense training and dedication, as she puts in just as much trainign and dedication to this sport as Maria. |
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?
| While reading Razack and Joseph’s article, it made me reflect on how important self representation is in resisting misogynoir. I’ve noticed how media often distorts or erases aspects of Black women’s identities, and I admire how Naomi Osaka takes control of her own narrative. By openly embracing her Haitian heritage and using social media to share her story, she challenges the attempts to define her in a way that suits others. I’ve also seen how online communities can be a powerful force, when people called out the whitewashing of Osaka’s ads, it proved that public pressure can hold companies accountable. It reminds me that pushing back, whether individually or collectively, can actually make a difference, and change the medias view. |
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.
Athletes have a unique ability to inspire younger generations, and when they use their platform to stand up for important issues, they can spark conversations that lead to real social change. Their influence extends far beyond the game, shaping the perspectives and values of those who look up to them. That being said, I do not believe athletes should be forced into using their platform for social change. Their primary role is to compete, and not everyone is passionate or even knowledgeable about certain issues. Expecting every athlete to take a stand would not be fair, and in some cases, it could lead to inauthentic advocacy that does not truly help the cause. However, when athletes do choose to speak out, the impact can be super powerful. As a sports fan, I know that when an athlete I admire supports a cause, it captures my attention and encourages me to think more deeply in regards to that cause. Since their words and actions influence me, I believe they have the power to shape society as a whole. Athletes have a massive platform, and while using it for social change should always be their choice, it’s undeniable that when they do, they can spread awareness, and understanding.
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 made me realize how sports media mostly focuses on men’s activism while often ignoring the activism of women, especially those fighting for intersectional justice. They argue that we need to change how stories are told and expand what counts as sports media so that women’s efforts get the attention they deserve. This stood out to me because it made me think about how much media controls the conversation and how important it is to highlight voices that actually push for real change.
C) Corporate social justice
Exercise 6: Padlet Poll
| I believe sports leagues absolutely hold responsibility when it comes to BLM because they have such a massive platform to influence change. With millions of fans watching, they have the power to amplify important messages, support their athletes, and challenge racial injustice in meaningful ways. It’s not enough to just post a statement or put a slogan on a jersey—true commitment means backing policies that support Black communities, protecting players who speak out, and using their influence to push for systemic change.
Response: I completely agree, that sports leagues have a responsibility to support social justice movements like BLM. With their massive influence, they can shape conversations, challenge injustices, and drive real change. Sports have always been more than just entertainment they reflect and influence society. If leagues only focus on profits and ignore issues affecting their athletes and fans, they fail their broader role. Prioritizing social justice isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s necessary for progress. |
Section Three: Taking a shot
Module Assignment (submit as part of notebook and separately through Blackboard mini assignment #1 portal)
Race – 2016
Watching the film Race, I was intrigued by Jesse Owens’ story. His winnings at the 1936 Olympics were not just about winning medals, they were a way of proving people wrong. What stood out to me most was how he did not need to speak out to make a statement, his success alone was a powerful form of activism. Jesse Owens way of pushing back against racism was simply by being the best he could be. He showed up, won, and let his achievements do the talking. Even after proving himself on the world stage, he still faced racism when he got back home. This made me think of modern athletes like LeBron James, who uses social media to call out racism (Galily, 2019). Unlike Owens, James can speak out directly, but he still faces lots of backlash, showing that even today, athletes who stand up for what is right are often told to stay quiet (Galily, 2019). The movie also made me think about how race and gender affect activism. Owens became a symbol for Black athletes, but Black women in sports do not always get the same recognition for their activism. This shows that even within sports, not everyone’s voice is heard the same way as others. In the end, Race reminded me that sports are about more than just the game. Owens’ story proves that talent alone is not enough to break down barriers. As in the reading “Shut up and dribble!”?Athletes activism in the age of twittersphere: The case of LeBron James, pointed out, that today’s athletes are still fighting to be heard.
References
Galily, Y. (2019). “Shut up and dribble!”?athletes activism in the age of twittersphere: The case of Lebron James. Technology in Society, 58, 101109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.01.002
