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).
| Racial Justice is an approach or process that aim to elimination inequality and oppress among different race. Racial justice wants to promotion inclusion and diverse toward people from different race or background. Every race should receive equal amount of treatment by the government and other organization system. These treatment includes equal access to healthcare, security, employment and financial assistance.
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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 Berveil’s question observes the racial assumption and stereotypes of Black athletes as gifted players. These stereotypes highlight the harmful effect toward the black community in the field of sports. Especially when it comes to sports like basketball, football or soccer. However, white athletes are viewed as the successful players achieved by hard work and strategy. For example, people would view Kobe Bryant as a naturally gifted player in basketball. There is no surprise about Kobe Bryant, but it does not mean he played basketball and became professional overnight.
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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?
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There were several strategies of resistance Rajack and Joseph identified in their articles. These strategies include community building, digital activism, self care, wellness and educational awareness. Community building allows black women to create a supporting network to share experience and uplift among black women. Activism would make digital media to challenge injustice, stereotypes and oppression. The strategies empower black women to fight back against the structure that oppresses them.
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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’s primary focus on individual’s success and marketability more than the inequalities of the system. They support a more intersectional report that outlines the unique challenges faced by black women athletes. In other words, amplifying voices that challenge dominant narratives could critically engage with structures that marginalize certain sport players.
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C) Corporate social justice
Exercise 6: Padlet Poll
| The NFL had a much more complicated and hesitant relationship with the Black Lives Matters and the athlete protest. Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful protest kneeling during the national anthem was met with controversy and backlash not from the league. However, it is from many fans and politicians. The fact that Kaepernick has been out of the leagues since 2017, raises question about the NFL’s sincerity when they later adopted more supportive language around racial justice.
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Section Three: Taking a shot
Module Assignment (submit as part of notebook and separately through Blackboard mini assignment #1 portal)
The television series “ The Last Dance” showcases Micheal Jordan’s career and the Chicago Bulls incredible run in the 1990s. We see the powerful representation of racialized athlete activists. Jordan was primarily known for his amazing talent in the National Basketball Association league, NBA. He also used his platform to address the social issue, particularly during the black live matter Movement The one strategy Micheal employed was leveraging his celebrity status to draw attention to racial inequality and police brutality. Examples include famously stating that Republicans also purchased sneakers. The statement highlights the amount of pressure athletes face when taking political stances.
The commentary on athletes using their voice in “The Last Dance” suggests that while they contain important influence, they often grapple with the consequences of speaking out. The series display Jordan initially chose to remain apolitical to protect his brand, illustrating the tension between commercial interest and social responsibility. This reflects a broader theme discussed in this week’s reading particularly in relation to how athletes of colour navigate their identities in a predominantly white sport industry.
Gender and race play a huge role in shaping these representations in sport. For instance, when athletes like Colin Keapernick take a knee during the national anthem, the impact becomes a powerful statement against systemic racism. The reading showcases these actions as not just a personal choice. Instead, these actions are influenced by the historical and societal contexts that affect how athletes are perceived.
The connection between sports and activism encourages the audience to consider the broader implications of an athlete’s voice in society. Ultimately, representations of the rcaicalized athlete activists in shows like “The Last Dances” changes our understanding of sport as more than just games. They are a platform for social changes.
