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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).
| Intersectionality refers to multiple factors that contribute to someone’s experience. These factors include race, sex, socio-economic status, class and sexual orientation. The term was coined by Kimberle Crenshaw, as she looked at how individuals of the same race do not necessarily have the same experiences if they are a woman, or low SES. Individuals who experience multiple barriers (eg being a Black gay woman of low socio-economic status) will have a disproportional different experience than, for example, a Black man of high class and socio-economic status. These factors play a role in someones experience within sport as well (eg a radicalized woman).
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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.
| I think that our society creates this generalization of skill to all Black athletes because we have deep rooted structural racism embedded in sports. As a society, I think there is still a divide between Black and white races, and this comes out in attributing one man’s talent to a genetic difference. I think that as a society, we always look for the differences between races, which creates a divide and leads to discrimination or in Usain Bolt’s case, generalization. We see examples of this in Black basketball players, when people make the assumption that race plays a factor in being good at basketball, or naturally talented. Or on the other hand, white athletes are praised with their skill and work ethic over natural ability. My positionality is of a white woman, and I did not become expertly skilled in sports so I did not experience either of these situations.
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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?
| There are many ways that people push back against misogynoir, including direct responses, self representing, counter narratives, and community based resistance. Direct responses to racism includes directly confronting the organization that is portraying something racist. Typically confrontation makes people uncomfortable, and companies back down. Using social media platforms to define identity is another method of showing identity, and publicly voicing your opinions. Media platforms can also be used to counter the dominant narratives. Journalists would use platforms to tell Osaka’s story and expose how the dominant narrative was harming and diminishing her Blackness. Finally, community and fan based resistance was seen in Osaka’s case. They praised and celebrated her identity, reducing the whitewashing being done by the media. Each of these strategies are ways that Osaka challenged misogynoir, creating a more positive and inclusive environment for Black women.
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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 say that that we should use sports media to challenge how mainstream sports privilege neoliberal concerns. They say that the media focuses on the neoliberal feminist perspective which focuses more on an individual perspective and less on the structural inequalities of our society. They want to expand the definition of sports media, by adding alternative stories that incorporate gender and class oppressions. We need to change the representation of women in sport to fill the intersectional gaps that are not usually addressed.
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C) Corporate social justice
Exercise 6: Padlet Poll
| I believe that sports leagues do have a responability to be a voice for social movements such as BLM. Based on the story, different sports leagues have different stances of the BLM movement. As we saw with the Canada vs US hockey game in the 4 nations face off, the game felt like it was about more than just hockey. Sports hold political influence and power because of their population and viewing. When teams take a stand against something (in this case BLM), it can manipulate and change the opinions of the viewers and shows that the team believes in the cause. Teams such as the NBA can also empower their athletes when they activity support the BLM movement. I think that these movements can bring people together, not only the athletes but the fans as well.
In response: I agree with your analysis. I think that sports hold a huge voice in terms of political action and social activism. I do agree that when leagues composed of Black athletes do not take a stand and express their opinions on BLM, it looks very hypocritical, and rubs people the wrong way. I think just putting out a statement is not enough support, is it easy to create a thread expressing support on a topic, but when real action is taken, it sends the message that the team supports their citizens and athletes.
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Section Three: Taking a shot
Module Assignment (submit as part of notebook and separately through Blackboard mini assignment #1 portal)
