Analysis Of Continued Preservation Of Black Dominance In Athletics

McGovern Gabriel

Representing Race

Professor Christina Harris

16 October 2014

The Continued Preservation of Black Dominance in Athletics All throughout history there seems to be a preconceived notion that the African-American population is athletically superior when compared to other races. This notion has been passed down through decades, instead of dwindling down it only seems to be picking up steam. We must ask ourselves, why do black athletes dominate sports? Why are we so afraid to talk about something that is so prevalent amongst are African-American communities? The idea that black athletes are presumably better is a complete misconception fueled by popular belief. While the theory has been discredited since the 1930s people continue

As a society I find it so puzzling how one moment we do not want anything to do with a certain race of people but the next moment we cannot get enough of them. While it may seem unbelievable that people can be so indecisive the facts are still there. In the time of Jackie Robinson he faced a culture that absolutely did not want him. He fought his way up through the ranks until he was accepted facing scrutiny that is unfathomable to the current athletes in America. While Athletes such as Michael Jordan have been making 2 billion dollars a year just on his clothing/sneaker line. People just cannot get enough of the Jordan apparel. Black athletes have become commercialized making a lot of people rich while also an added spark to the sports world. People cannot get enough of it as stated in the price of “Black Dominance” is the “Presence of this composite masculine type which is maintained by new coverage and advertising strategies that exploit the suggestive mixture of black anger and physical prowess.” Growing in and around the circumstances that African American culture paired with the supposed fame and luxury the athletic career is able to provide, would you be able to resist striving to be a part of such a world? The roles that they seek through professions in sports are appealing and pay very charitably. What African-Americans fail to realize is that it is okay to strive to make it in the athletic world, but a contingency plan is very much needed. The truth being that it is very hard to make it in to the NFL and NBA. Only about 1 percent of high school football players make it to the NFL, after making it the average life of an NFL career is only three years. With all these statistics going against you it would be a very smart to have a backup plan. The media fails to show these statistics on television it would kill the industry thus hindering their potential profit. Instead they make