Racism is a part of American history that can never be forgotten; a dark past that shows the constant mistreatment of African-Americans. Although African-Americans were freed from slavery in the 1860’s, discrimination continues to be seen today. Racism is defined as prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one 's own race is superior. The white supremacy woven into mainstream American culture led to the continued widespread exclusion of African-Americans. In the sporting world, race is a widely discussed topic that frequently comes up. In today’s society creating an equal playing field and environment for athletes of all races is essential for the success of a sport. Based …show more content…
The white supremacy that flooded America in the 19th and early 20th century is no longer seen in the sporting world. This paper looked at sports through the lens of an individual athlete named Muhammad Ali (who definitively changed history for African-American people in the United States), as well as looked at sports as a whole throughout history. Through statistics and reports, proof has demonstrated that the sporting world has developed to give more of an opportunity for African-American athletes to compete than ever before. Athletics creates a platform that gives athletes an opportunity to be more than just an athlete. An opportunity to stand up for what they believe in and bring attention to some of the problems of the world. The past has shown us that athletes can contribute in changing the world and the star power African-American athletes have in the sporting world today is the proof. Athletes in professional sports today embrace their role in society as role models and for the most part understand they have the stage to be more than just athletes, but historical figures just like those before