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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).
| Individualism in sports refers to the philosophy or practice of prioritizing the interests, achievements, and rights of the individual athlete over the collective goals of the team or group. This concept celebrates personal success and the pursuit of individual excellence, often emphasizing personal responsibility, self-reliance, and independence within a competitive context. In sports, individualism can manifest as athletes striving for personal bests, overcoming personal challenges, or achieving recognition through individual awards and accolades, even within team sports.
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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.
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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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In response to the coverage of the 2018 US Open Women’s final and the broader issue of misogynoir in sports media, I believe several strategies can be effective in resisting and countering these deeply ingrained biases. Firstly, supporting media outlets and content creators who strive to portray Black women and mixed-race women in a more accurate and empowering light is crucial. This involves elevating the voices of Black female journalists and filmmakers who can craft narratives that reflect the true diversity and complexity of women of color. Additionally, educating the public on media literacy is essential. By running workshops and campaigns that teach people to discern and critically analyze racial and gender biases in media, we can gradually shift how audiences perceive and react to media content. This education should emphasize the understanding of how media can shape perceptions and reinforce stereotypes, which in turn influences how people of color are treated in society. Advocating for policy changes within media organizations is also vital. These policies should promote diversity and enforce strict anti-discrimination standards at all levels of media production and distribution. It’s about creating a systemic change that not only addresses the output but also the underlying structures that allow misogynoir and racial stereotyping to persist. Moreover, I think it’s important to stand in solidarity with athletes like Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka. Public support can mitigate the impact of negative portrayals and influence media narratives. Engaging in social media advocacy, voicing support, and educating others about the challenges these athletes face can contribute to a broader cultural shift towards more equitable media representation.
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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.
Padlet Response – I believe that athletes, like any public figures with significant influence, do have a responsibility to use their platforms for social change. Their visibility and broad appeal not only grant them access to diverse groups of people but also allow them to shed light on important issues that might otherwise go unnoticed by certain segments of the population.
LeBron James exemplifies how athletes can effectively use their prominence to speak out on social issues, influence public opinion, and inspire action among fans and communities. His involvement in various social causes, from education initiatives to racial justice, demonstrates that athletes have a unique capacity to reach and mobilize people. The idea that athletes should “shut up and dribble” diminishes the value of their voice and the potential impact they can have beyond their sports.
Moreover, in a polarized society, athletes who take stands on contentious issues can play a crucial role in bridging divides. They often transcend the usual boundaries of political and social discourse, appealing to fans across different backgrounds. When they speak, people from various walks of life listen, sometimes hearing perspectives they would otherwise dismiss if coming from politicians or activists.
However, it’s important to recognize that while athletes have the power to influence, they also face potential backlash and risks to their careers.
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.)
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C) Corporate social justice
Exercise 6: Padlet Poll
| In examining the responses of major sports leagues like the NFL and NBA to athlete activism, especially concerning Black Lives Matter, it’s evident that there are significant differences in how these organizations handle social justice issues. The NBA has historically been more supportive of its players’ rights to speak out and has actively encouraged teams and players to engage with social issues. In contrast, the NFL has faced criticism for its more restrictive approach, especially highlighted by the initial response to Colin Kaepernick’s protests during the national anthem.
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Section Three: Taking a shot
Module Assignment (submit as part of notebook and separately through Blackboard mini assignment #1 portal)
For this assignment, I’ll analyze the representation of racialized athlete activism through the character of Sam Obisanya in the television show “Ted Lasso.” Sam, a Nigerian footballer playing for the fictional AFC Richmond, evolves throughout the series from a reserved player to an outspoken activist, particularly highlighted in the show’s second season.
Sam uses his platform to protest against the unethical practices of the team’s sponsor, Dubai Air, which is linked to environmental degradation in his home country, Nigeria. His strategy is public and bold; he paints messages on his body during a match, using the visibility of sports media to spotlight these issues. This act of defiance sparks a broader movement within the team and among fans, showcasing how athletes can leverage their visibility to effect social change.
The commentary on athletes using their voices in “Ted Lasso” is overwhelmingly positive. The show portrays Sam’s actions not only as brave but also as catalysts for broader team solidarity and community support. This portrayal aligns with the series’ overall theme of compassion and mutual support, suggesting that sports figures should use their platforms to advocate for justice.
Race and identity are central to this representation. Sam’s activism is deeply tied to his identity as a Nigerian and the personal impact of the environmental issues. This enriches the narrative, showing that racialized identities can empower athletes to speak out about specific injustices that affect their communities directly.
These representations shape how viewers understand sports, not just as entertainment but also as a potent venue for social commentary and change. By framing sports as intertwined with real-world issues, “Ted Lasso” encourages viewers to see athletes as more than entertainers, but as influential social figures with the power to initiate real change.
This analysis engages with Raymond Boyle and Richard Haynes’s idea from “Power Play: Sport, the Media and Popular Culture,” that sports transcend the playfield and are a vital part of cultural and media landscapes that influence and reflect societal values. Boyle and Haynes argue that media representations of sports are crucial in shaping public perceptions and narratives around social issues, a theme clearly reflected in Sam’s storyline in “Ted Lasso.”
