3 Chapter Three: Race, Gender, & Social Justice
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).
| Colorblindness: refers to the idea that race should not be seen or considered in social interactions, policies, and decision-making. It is often framed as a way to promote equality by treating everyone the same, regardless of racial differences. However, while the intention may be to reduce discrimination, colorblindness can actually ignore the real and ongoing effects of racism by failing to acknowledge systemic inequalities, historical injustices, and the unique experiences of different racial groups.
For example, a colorblind approach might lead someone to say, “I don’t see race; I treat everyone equally,” but this can overlook the fact that racial disparities still exist in areas like education, healthcare, and employment. Critics argue that colorblindness can make it harder to address racism because it dismisses the need for race-conscious policies that work toward 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.
| Joel Bervell’s question highlights how Black athletes are often stereotyped as naturally athletic, while white athletes are seen as skilled or hardworking. For example, Usain Bolt’s speed is often attributed to genetics, while Michael Phelps’ success is credited to training and technique. This reinforces racial biases, ignoring individual effort and systemic barriers. Reflecting on my own perspective, I try to recognize and challenge these assumptions in discussions about sports.
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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 outline several ways to push back against biased portrayals, especially in sports media. One approach is ensuring that Black women athletes have control over their own stories and are represented in ways that recognize both their skill and full identities, rather than reducing them to stereotypes.
Another method is raising awareness about how media frames these athletes and advocating for fairer coverage. This can involve public critiques, discussions on social media, and academic work that examines the way race and gender shape narratives in sports.
They also emphasize the importance of community support, where athletes uplift one another and use their platforms to challenge injustice. Serena Williams, for example, has spoken out about the treatment of Black women in tennis, helping to spark conversations about these issues.
Lastly, making changes at an institutional level, such as increasing representation in sports journalism and leadership roles, as well as revising policies that unfairly target certain groups, can help shift long-standing patterns of bias.
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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.
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 beyond neoliberal feminist concerns, which often focus on individual empowerment and marketable success stories while ignoring systemic inequalities. Instead, they advocate for a more intersectional and structural approach to covering athlete activism, one that acknowledges broader social justice issues such as racism, sexism, and economic disparity.
They argue for journalistic practices that center collective action and systemic change, rather than framing activism as a personal choice or branding opportunity. This includes amplifying the voices of marginalized athletes, contextualizing activism within historical and political struggles, and challenging the dominant narratives that prioritize mainstream, corporate-friendly feminism.
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C) Corporate social justice
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 leagues have a significant responsibility when it comes to BLM, as they serve as influential cultural institutions with the power to shape public discourse. Given their platform and visibility, leagues should support their athletes’ activism, amplify messages against racial injustice, and implement meaningful policies that promote equity both on and off the field. While some leagues, like the NBA and WNBA, have embraced these responsibilities by collaborating with players and taking public stances, others, like the NFL, have been slower to act due to financial concerns and ownership resistance. Ultimately, leagues must recognize that racial justice is not just a political issue but a fundamental human rights concern that affects their players, staff, and fan base.
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Section Three: Taking a shot
Module Assignment (submit as part of notebook and separately through Blackboard mini assignment #1 portal)
