The sport studies literature contains many references to "racially biased language." This basically means that the language of commentators, newscasters, etc. contains some sort of bias that relates directly to race. The most common example cited in textbooks is that white athletes in sports such as football and basketball have often been described as "hard working," while black players have been described as "naturally talented." We see less of this today, at least in basketball, according to some recent work. Track athletes have also been racialized in particular ways. East African distance runners, in particular, have been lauded for their supposed "effortlessness" and "fluidity" while white runners who are fortunate enough to get the better of their ostensibly inferior genetic makeup and/or socialization patterns have been described as "grinding" or "gutting" out personal bests. The research on race, population genetics, and sport performance is incredibly complex, and anyone who tries to tell you a definitive answer should be viewed with suspicion. All athletes and exercisers have experienced times when completing a task required little work, or when moving was a real chore. I deeply appreciate the beauty of effort in all its forms, from a child struggling to sit upright for the first time, to the aging athlete's attempt to build muscle, even as the mitochondria prepare to throw in the towel. Check out the two 800-meter world records below. These two runners are part of only a trio of runners to ever break 1:42 in the 800. One is from August, 2010, and the other is from back in 1981. Both are amazing to watch...their strides are strikingly different, and their efforts show in different ways and at different times...yet each makes my jaw drop.
I have also heard about this stereotype. However, I believe that it is because a majority of Black people have longer legs or arms due to their height, therefore, they have the ability to have longer strides and reach in races and basketball.
ReplyDelete-Kelly Leung
Wow---I was unaware that the 800 m world record had recently fallen. As far as the race issue--I've noticed the tendancy for people to "suspect" any non-african runners of blood doping or performance ehancers---any time they are competitive with the Africans. In Mixed Martial Arts (my favorite sport)--I've noticed commentators and coaches often labeling the African Amercian fighters as "natural athletes" much more often than the fighters of other ethnic origin. The white fighters are often described as "hard workers". Exception: Joe Rogan seems to do a very good job of reserving the term "natural athlete" for those deserving the title...regardless of race.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I could not understand the commentary during the 2010 race, I noticed that the video footage would go back and forth from focusing on the front running Kenyan man and the man in last place that was white. Every runner seemed to run with the same expression on their face, which was not one of struggling. During the 1981 race the announcer mentioned how the "inexperienced ethiopian" was able to get from second to last to third place. I do not feel that he was trying to make it sound as though the black runner was naturally a good runner, it sounded more like an informational fact about the runner. When the white runner gained the lead the announcer used terms such as, "so relaxed and easy", and "no sign of weakness". These terms make it seem as though white runners can also be simply good runners without having to "work hard" or "push through the pain". I do notice when watching football and other highly viewd sports, that the accouncers will use terms like "he's always thinking" when discussing a white athlete, and terms like "look at his natural abilities" when describing a non-white athlete. I also hear the announcers talk about the training the white athletes endure, making it sound as though they need more help to become great athletes while the non-white athletes seem to be able to be great with little training, which is obviously not true since many of the athletes competed on the same teams that lead them to the professional leagues. Being white is almost a curse if you want to be a great athlete with little work, while if you want to play a position that involves quick thinking you will be less likely to obtain it if you are black.
ReplyDeleteBriana Shimizu Response:
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to watch two of the three 800meter world record holders obtain first place, with a 30 year difference but yet both videos seriously blew me away!
Whenever watching sports, it's evident that we hear sly commentator remarks that depict specific races. I always notice it in basketball games, where African Americans seem to be a dominate race in this prestigious sport. Remembering comments I have heard in the past about race and sports, and now watching these tack and field video's, it is more than crystal clear that people need to accept, apply, and appreciate racial diversity! Come'on people it's 2010--almost 2011! As Dr. Butryn said- there is and should not be a definitive answer to race- because that's why it is called racial diversity!
I have always thought of race (as a whole) as a puzzle- complex none the less. The individual pieces are all different colors, sizes,and shapes, yet all very important to complete the puzzle. Without one piece, it is just not complete, but when it is completed it's beautiful and complex. With this in mind, I understand others have different perceptions, but my thoughts are, it's only going to get more diverse around the world- forever. People should understand and adapt how unique race and sports are and embrace it- be a team player and fan! As commentators say, sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's hard...
BUT race does NOT matter, everyone has their challenges and special talents/abilities. I am glad I decided to look over these blogs this weekend because we recently began talking about race and gender in sports within our Kin164 class- I look forward to lecture next week now!
Briana Shimizu
Kin164
These stereotypes and racially biased language in sport is something that has been happening forever. The great Howard Cosell once called a black athlete a "little monkey" on national television. He was pressured to leave the network he worked for despite the support of many athletes. Its easy to fall victim to stereotypical thinking. I believe each of us is prejudice even if it is to the smallest degree. Even I, a biracial male from San Jose, CA can have cloudy judgement at times. My friends and I have joked often times after a game of basketball... "man, I wish I was black so I can jump high and be stronger." It is just something that seems normal to say or joke about... and I have friends of many different ethnicities. We tell each other racist jokes all the time, and we constantly throw racial slander back and forth to eachother making fun of stereotypes, skin color, physical features or characteristics that are different from one another... Its almost normal behavior on our part. I make sure I am close with the person before I do so of course!!! I am Hispanic/White and my best friend growing up was african american, I had an Indian friend vietnamese friends on the same block. The vietnamese kids would play basketball in sandals, the Indian kids would play hockey with us in their turbans. We would always ask questions about eachothers cultures and make fun of eachother for racial differences. At the end of the day and the beginning of the next day, we were all friends. I am still friends and in contact with every single one of those people, and the racial slander still goes on. I grew up this way. I don't know how to be different. Is this ok? Is this bad that I am this way? Where is the line drawn?
ReplyDeleteI decided to comment on this blog because it directly relates to what we just learned in class over the past few weeks. I always find it astonishing that there are different explanations for why people either perform well or poor based upon the color of their skin and ethnic background. The term “whiteness” is so arbitrary, and if you are white you are the smart athlete who has to work hard for every achievement you earn, and then on the other hand if you are black it is assumed that you are born with natural physical ability and talent and is effortless. The first video is absolutely amazing, it is clear that the runner is very poised and runs with ease. None of the other competitors we even close to him, and most all of the runners had “black” skin; so if we were going off the ideas that ALL black people have great athletic ability isn’t it odd that none of them were even close to the lead runner? And then the second video it is clear that a man of “white” skin color, clearly won that race hands down, with no competition in sight. So again, this just goes to show that athletic ability is a skill that is worked on and perfected no matter what the color of your skin or ethnic background. Some people are more flexible than others, endurance, lung capacity, some people can push their bodies to limits others can’t, there are a number of factors that play into athletic ability, but the color of our skin is NOT one of them.
ReplyDeleteChristina Calcagno
KIN 164
Wow... I wonder why that runner, who was in second place, just dropped out. Maybe it was the coaches decision and told that runner to drop out and let Rudisha win and represent the team in the world record? The facial expression that runner had was like, F it... I don't care anymore. That was just weird. He could have taken second place.
ReplyDeleteThe difference in strides, just like Usain Bolt, seems like those athletes were tall. Usually people who are tall have longer strides and can reach better. Just like in basketball.