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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).
| Colourblindness is the practice of dismissing racial distinctions and treating all people equally, generally with the goal of fostering justice. Nevertheless, it may disregard the systematic disparities and difficulties that individuals of colour encounter. Colourblindness in sports refers to the concept that skin colour must not impact decision-making, policy, or interactions between teammates. Although it strives to foster inclusion, this method may mistakenly overlook the significance of resolving racial inequities, such as uneven accessibility to resources or representation, which impedes genuine inclusion and equality in athletics.
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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 demonstrates how prejudices about Black athleticism are frequently generalized, although comparable assumptions are not made about caucasian athletes. For instance, when a Black athlete thrives at a sport like basketball or track, people may mistakenly believe that all Black people are innately talented in these particular fields. This reinforces racial prejudices that restrict people to their race while neglecting the variety of backgrounds. As a trans person who enjoys sports, I can relate to how stereotypes about athleticism can be limiting. Just as I face assumptions about my trans identity in sports, Black athletes are often reduced to their race, ignoring their unique talents and experiences. |
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 present numerous ways for combating misogyny in their paper. One important strategy is reclaiming narratives, in which Black women take ownership of their own experiences and resist the damaging stereotypes imposed by racism and sexism. Another technique is community building, which involves developing networks of solidarity with other Black women and oppressed groups to give strength and support while challenging oppressive structures. They also highlight the value of cultural expression, such as painting, music, and other kinds of creativity, in challenging established norms and providing empowering counter-narratives. Lastly, activism and lobbying are critical, with direct action, policy reforms, and grassroots mobilization all required to dismantle the structural inequity that drives misogyny.
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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 claim that conventional sports coverage must emphasize intersectional feminism, which confronts systematic inequity, as opposed to simply pushing for inclusion within the present structures. They underline the need to cover themes such as racial justice, structural transformation, and wage equality.
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C) Corporate social justice
Exercise 6: Padlet Poll
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I believe athletes have a responsibility to use their platforms for social change, especially given their vast impact. As well-known public personalities, athletes may raise awareness about vital topics such as racial justice, injustice, and human rights. Their voices may transcend the confines of established political arenas, providing a unique chance to engage people that would otherwise be excluded from these conversations. While some say that athletes should stick to their sport, the strength of their platform may inspire beneficial societal change, as seen by movements such as BLM. Using their visibility for advocacy can have a significant impact on tackling structural concerns.
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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 film King Richard (2021) depicts Serena Williams’ early life and career through the perspective of her father, Richard Williams, who is presented as a pivotal influence in her journey to tennis prominence. While the movie is mainly on Richard’s teaching style, it additionally demonstrates how Serena’s position as a Black woman in a predominantly white competition influenced her journey as an athlete and eventual activist.
One of the approaches players like Serena use to get their voices out, both in the movie and in the real world, is to excel in their field of sport. King Richard illustrates how Serena’s skill on the tennis court acts as a kind of opposition to the racially driven challenges she confronted. For example, despite systemic racism in tennis, including a lack of support from coaches who doubted her potential due to her race, Serena persists, excelling in the sport. For instance, despite systematic prejudice in tennis, particularly a shortage of support from trainers who questioned her athletic ability because of her colour, Serena perseveres and excels at the sport. This insight is based on Cheryl Cooky and Dunja Antunovic analysis concerning how activism among athletes is not necessarily visible but can be established by rejecting restrictive preconceptions. Serena’s performance makes a statement in and of itself, demonstrating that she, as a Black woman, can compete in a sport traditionally dominated by white competitors.
The movie additionally emphasizes gender issues since Serena’s physique and appearance are frequently critiqued in ways that her male athletic peers are not. This is consistent with Sabrina Rajack and Janelle Joseph’s research on misogynoir in women’s sports, in which Black female athletes experience both discrimination based on race and gender. Serena’s challenge with these dynamics becomes readily apparent in King Richard, particularly in the film’s emphasis on her challenges in getting proper compensation despite her evident ability and skill. In a particular scene, Serena’s father, Richard Williams, is shown negotiating with donors, and the family comes across the distressing fact that the organization devalues Serena and her sister, Venus, because of their colour. This encounter provides the framework for Serena’s eventual campaign for equitable wages in tennis, as she addresses both gender and racial prejudices that interfere with her from receiving fair compensation.
Although the film King Richard does not focus significantly on Serena’s advocacy, it alludes to the stress she experiences as a young Black woman entering the elite tennis world. The movie depicts her competing to be acknowledged not only for her abilities but also to be considered an equal to her caucasian peers, an effort that influences her future guide for promoting body positivity and wage equality for female sports. Unlike how Serena is frequently expected to play a compliant, polite position within the sport, her subsequent openness in both the movie and her daily professional life defies these enforced boundaries.
King Richard critically examines how Black female athletes like Serena continually exceed limits in their sports while defying social conventions. By depicting Serena’s background experience, the movie highlights how her position as a Black woman impacts her professional tennis success and activism. While she manages the global sport of tennis, she encounters racial and gendered assumptions that seek to undermine her value. King Richard establishes the groundwork for Serena’s subsequent advocacy, demonstrating how sports can be used to effect social transformation, especially among marginalized populations.
References:
Readings: Cheryl Cooky and Dunja Antunovic, “‘This Isn’t Just About Us’: Articulations of Feminism in Media Narratives of Athlete Activism.” Communication and Sport 8, no. 4–5 (2020): 692–711. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167479519896360.
Sabrina Rajack and Janelle Joseph., “Misogynoir in Women’s Sport Media: Race, Nation, and Diaspora in the Representation of Naomi Osaka.” Media, Culture & Society 43, no. 2 (2021): 291–308. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443720960919.
Parker, R. (Director). (2021). King Richard [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.
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