White Sports/Black Sports: Racial Disparities in Athletic Programs

by Lori Latrice Martin, Brian D. Behnken (Editor)

Overview

Sports can serve as an inspirational example of what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance, regardless of one's race. However, race still plays a major role in sports, and sports are key agents of racial socialization.

This new edition challenges the idea that America has moved beyond racial discrimination and identifies the obvious and subtle ways in which racial identities and athletic determinism affect individuals in the world of sports. Featuring a new chapter covering the history of Black athletes in college sports and the historic and contemporary role of the NCAA and including 40% revised material covering major events and players since 2015, Lori Latrice Martin's influential text makes clear the links between sports and society as a whole and demonstrates that the issues surrounding racism in sports are not limited to the playing field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440880377
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/25/2024
Series:	Racism in American Institutions
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Lori Latrice Martin is Professor of African and African American Studies and of Sociology at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Toward a Unifying Perspective of Race, Racism, and Sports
2. Race, Place, and Sports
3. A Perfect Combination: The Mass Media and Representations of Race in Sports
4. Race Thinking and Black Athletes in Football
5. America's Other Favorite Pastime: Baseball
6. Racism on the Hardwood
7. Black-Free Zones
8. Sports and the Myth of a Color-Blind Society
9. Black Women Athletes and Racial Stereotypes and Myths
10. Conclusion
Index

Editorial Reviews

Timely. Important. Impactful. In this updated edition, Lori Latrice Martin draws upon a deep well of expertise as a sociologist to explore the roots of systemic racism in sport and pathways forward. Meticulously researched, White Sports/Black Sports engages scholars and general readers alike in meaningful dialogues on the role sport plays in perpetuating racial stereotypes that continue to hold sway in the 21st century and the pressing need to move beyond them.” —Ellen J. Staurowsky, Professor of Sports Media, Ithaca College, USA

“The second edition of White Sports/Black Sports adeptly excavates how racism permeates and contaminates modern-day sports in the U.S. despite formal rule changes ... Unlike many mainstream academic texts on sports, Martin documents how racism impacts both men and women. Beyond identifying the core problem of racism, Martin offers sociologically informed ideas for how sports can reflect racial equity moving forward.” —Joseph N. Cooper, Professor and Dr. J. Keith Motley Endowed Chair of Sport Leadership and Administration, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA

“White Sports/Black Sports: Racial Disparities in Athletic Programs, 2nd Edition presents an in-depth and nuanced exploration of the sports arena, shedding light on the enduring influence of white supremacy that has shaped its foundation and evolution. In a society deeply fractured by racial divisions, this book uncovers the deeply embedded racial inequities within the sprawling sports-industrial complex. It meticulously examines the intricate and often covert ways these disparities manifest and persist, offering a critical lens through which to view the intersection of race and sports. This edition builds upon its predecessor and expands the discourse, contributing to our understanding of racial dynamics in sports.” —Darron Smith, Associate Professor, University of Washington, USA

“The second edition of White Sports/Black Sports offers readers a profound exploration of the origins and implications of racial socialization within the realm of sports. Grounded in rich sociohistorical knowledge, each chapter delves into the intricate dynamics of social change influenced by media, unveils the adverse effects of racial barriers and class disparities in sports pipelines, and presents opportunities for cultural transformation within the sports domain to enrich the lives of athletes at all levels. This edition stands out for its increased inclusivity, providing readers with diverse viewpoints that encourage critical thinking on how race in sports intersects with gender, location, income, media, and athletes' agency. I highly recommend this book to professors in sports management, sociology, African American studies, and history who aspire to scrutinize the intersections of race, sports, media, and culture through a critical lens.” —Tomika L. Ferguson, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA

From the Publisher