Race in Sports

Alexandra Donovan

The United States was founded on the basis of white supremacy, which was built into our Consitution and has remained part of our social system, through reconstruction, and the segregation that followed in the South, and in the form of racism, discrimination and social inequality that continues to exist even today. However, sports have played, and continue to play, an important role in leveling the playing field for blacks and other minorities in this country. This has occurred by virtue of both the confrontation of the status quo made by racial pioneers such as Jackie Robinson, John Carlos and Tommie Smith, and Colin Kapernick, but also through the mainstream popularity obtained by less polarizing athletes, such as Willie Mays, Tiger Woods, Russell Wilson.

Baseball is America’s national pastime, and was especially popular among white Americans when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. Robinson was met by discrimination and racism, both on and off the field, through segregated housing and buses and generally poor treatment by coaches and players. Although Jackie Robinson initially agreed not to retaliate or speak out about the injustices he faced, by 1949, those restrictions were lifted by the Dodgers and he became an outspoken civil rights activist for the rest of his life. Although Jackie Robinson was widely respected for his skill and his courage in facing adversity on and off the field, he was not a fan favorite, and did not enjoy mainstream popularity. Yet, by opening the door for other black players, Robinson led the way for players such as Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, who followed him to the Major Leagues within a few years. Willie Mays, who was an extraordinary player but was not very political, became one of baseball’s most popular players in the 1950’s and 1960’s, among both white and black fans. Black and white children at the time were known to try to run the bases and have their hats blow off like Willie Mays, or to make Willie Mays style basket catches. This, in turn, leads to greater interest in, and respect and admiration for, black baseball players, and soon, baseball became fully integrated. Arthur Ashe did the same thing for tennis, which, like golf, was primarily an all-white sport, when he achieved his success. This paved the way for future mainstream (but less political stars) such as Serena Williams and Tiger Woods, and also opened the sports of tennis and golf to minority players.

But political activism often has negative consequences for the black players who take the lead in trying to bring about change. One prominent example was when the track stars John Carlos and Tommie Smith gave the black power salute at the 1968 Olympics to show support for the lives stolen by lynching, murder, slavery and racism in America. Their actions resulted in them being immediately sent home from the Olympics and being ridiculed in the media. However, the message got out to the whole world, and sparked social change by bringing the world’s attention to the injustice facing black Americans. Another message that spread rapidly was when NFL player Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem to protest the United States’ treatment of minorities. Kaepernick took it one step further by choosing to wear his hair in an afro, instead of a cut close to his head, demonstrating black radicalism. Many professional leagues and teams had established dress codes and other ways to make players of color conform to white norms. “When your hair is relaxed, white people are relaxed. When your hair is nappy, they’re not happy.” The NFL wants black players who appeal to mainstream America — white America — for the benefit of the league. Therefore, Kaepernick’s actions came with a price, and he went from being a star quarterback to not being signed by any NFL teams. However, Kapernick was successful in conveying his message against racism and police brutality to mainstream America. Now, other less political black players, such as quarterback Russell Wilson, who appeal to mainstream America, must continue to push the agenda that Kapernick and others sacrificed for, to continue to break down racial barriers.