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).
MisogynoirMisogynoir is a combination of words, misogyny and the French word noir, that translate to black. this combination of words describes the anti-black misogyny toward black women.
|
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 don’t think there’s a need to extrapolate the athleticism of black athletes and compare their bodies to white athletes. When it is done it feels like an excuse as to why a black athlete beat a white athlete only because their bodies are naturally stronger or better. those who play sports competitively know that this can be true, that someone’s body may be naturally stronger that yours but with training, hard dedication to get better is what makes the difference between a good and great athlete. |
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?
| The main strategy for resistance to push back against misogynoir was by self representation. they talk about how she identifies as a woman Japanese- understanding black girl, as she was born in Japan but also shares a Haitian background from her father. as the media often disregarded the ‘black girl’ part, she makes sure in her own media post and interviews to make known that she is from a black community and part of the black race. Another strategy they mention is her choice of clothing, like Serena Williams, she ventures away from the traditional tennis player attire by asking Pharrell Williams, to be her designer. Those who know Pharrell know how well her represents the black community as a black designer.
|
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
- Popular Feminism is associated with the following:
- Corporations
- Media friendly
- Celebrity culture
2)Feminisms that gain visibility are often those that do not challenge/question/resist/protest/oppose structural arrangements
Feminist expressions that critique patriarchal structures and systems of racism and violence are more obscure/invisible/deprioritized
3) Neoliberal Feminism as defined by the article is associated with the following characteristics and priorities:
– Individualism
– Entrepreneurship
– High visibility
4) Intersectional feminism is often less visible than other kinds of feminism. It identifies embedded relations of power. It argues that inclusion alone does not sufficiently address gender-based inequality. Intersectional feminism attempts to address (structural forms of inequality in the recognition that domination and subordination operate simultaneously across multiple social locations such as gender, race
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.)
|
|
C) Corporate social justice
Exercise 6: Padlet Poll
| In favour:
The influence an entire sports organization has is probably bigger than other organization I can think of. When the majority of the player population is from black descent, supporting social justice movements like Black Lives Matter should be a no-brainer. The media pressure that athletes, teams, fans and sports leagues can bring to push for a change in equality for a race that’s being treated unjustly can absolutely get the gears turning for systemic change. Supporting movements like BLM show everyone that social injustices are not to be taken lightly and should be resolved immediately. That also creates trust in these leagues that they have moral standards for treating everyone like a human being that has their own rights no matter the situation. The support from leagues can also create a safe place for athletes and fans to speak on whatever they feel and voice their opinion without receiving backlash or stigma from because of their comments.
|
Section Three: Taking a shot
Module Assignment (submit as part of notebook and separately through Blackboard mini assignment #1 portal)
The movie 42 A true story of an American legend shows the journey to glory for Jackie Robinson, including all the struggles he faced to get to that point.The movie highlights Robinson’s struggles with racism and his perseverance in the face of systemic discrimination.The film portrays him as a trailblazer who carries the weight of racial progress on his shoulders. While his activism in the movie is often shown through endurance rather than direct confrontation, his real-life legacy includes speaking out against injustice later in his career. Sports films like 42 often emphasize the tension between the expectation that athletes should “just play” and the reality that sports have always been a political space. Both 42 and the case of LeBron James highlight the historical and ongoing expectation that athletes, especially racialized athletes, should focus solely on their sport rather than engage in political or social issues. Jackie Robinson, in 42, is pressured to endure racism without retaliation, just as modern athletes like LeBron James are often told to “shut up and dribble” when they speak out on racial injustice. This reflects a long-standing belief that sports should be “apolitical,” even though history shows that sports and politics are deeply connected. Times were very different though from when Jackie Robinson was playing, compared to 2017 with Lebron James. Jackie Robinson only form of media would have been press conference, but the racism he was facing and enduring chances are he didn’t get may until later on in is career or even after he retired, so speaking up and fighting back against the racial discrimination was definitely not easy. Lebron on the other hand has already established himself amongst the greatest NBA player ever and uses his social media platforms to speak up. For Jackie Robinson silent protest was the only real form of strategy to fight back but it comes with lots of risks during that time in history. For Lebron, he can use silent protest, media and public statements as well as direct activism to speak out in the community to fight for a change. Both Robinson and James faced backlash for their activism. In 42, Robinson endures racial slurs, threats, and opposition from fans, teammates, and even baseball executives. Similarly, LeBron James has been criticized by media figures and political commentators for speaking out on racial and social justice issues. The phrase “Shut up and dribble” itself was used to dismiss his activism, just as Robinson was expected to play baseball without addressing racism. These reactions highlight how society continues to resist Black athletes using their platforms for change, reinforcing the broader struggle for racial justice in sports.
