RACISM IN SPORT

Why it is meaningful: Looking from the top it appears so insignificant since it is not a wide spread
practice, not like in the first half of the previous century. However marginal it appears it still takes us
back to the ghosts of the past being relived. This is dear as it threatens human rights and its dignity
too.

Whether it affects sports and its significance.

Absolutely yes! People of African descent are the most racially discriminated majorly because the
curricula is white and perspective flattering them. This is as a result of colonization, anti-immigrant
tide, islamophobia, anti-sematic hatred etc. Despite policies being put in place to lure people of color
to the game for example in Hockey, golf, etc. are considered elite because of the systemic
discrimination and other racial discriminations.

background Information on racism in sports

racism has been formulated as one social issues in the sports history. Once again, racist acts have
kept rising on high rate. In 2018 the 50th anniversary was celebrated of Tommie Smith and John
Carlos protesting against the medal stand at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, being the first global
instances of athlete activism. However, despite being a half-century removed from that watershed
moment in Mexico, we still saw many racist incidents worldwide. The positive legacy on racism of
2018 was the continued rise of athlete activism. Colin Kaepernick was chosen face of Nike's newest
"Just Do It" advertisement, despite not being signed by an NFL team.

Small battles were won and lost in the fight against racism. The Cleveland Indians announced they
would remove the Chief Wahoo image from all uniforms, despite the organization continuing to sell
merchandise with the logo. And the NFL team in Washington stood pat and continues to use its
highly controversial nickname that I, like many others, consider racist. It seems in every battle won,
like 10 more instances of racism occurred around the world this past year.

Russia, the host of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, was charged with fan racism nearly two months before
the tournament starting, as fans directed "monkey chants" at players on the French national team.
Racial abuse by Russian soccer fans increased in anticipation of the World Cup to an extent some
players didn’t want to attend the tournament. Many allegations of racism on fans to the opponent
teams have risen in the recent years. One potential reason we have seen racist incidents in sports
increase over the past several years is that those in high political office in the U.S. and throughout
the world are not reprimanded for making offensive statements regarding minority groups.

Controversy around racism

Across all sporting disciplines especially where people od diverse background are competing. For
example, in football, Chelsea football club fans were accused of being racist after a section of fans
chanted racist chants in a match against French side, PSG during a UEFA champions league in 2015.

In January 2013 incidence pitting the Serie A side ac Milan where by Kevin prince Boateng walked
out of the pitch after racist chants from the opponent fans and their many other cases of racism in
the beautiful game.

These incidences confirm presence of racism in the sports and our society at large and I strongly
condemn it in the strongest terms possible. This is because it denies qualified athletes’ fair
competition and the integrity of the sport. These cases tarnish the good names of the organizations
and the people involved.

Counter arguments

There have been some counter arguments tossed by some conservative rhetoric these cases have
occurred. For example, Provocation has been used as defense where by these entitled element
argue as if to have exclusive rights to compete. They claim that players, fans or officials of the game
behaved in a manner to as to invite the insults and so that the victim deserves it like witnessed in
other violations like of rape. It also claims brought about by antiimmigration brigade which brews
phobia and, in some cases, result to violence like cases of islamophobia, xenophobia and antisemitic
sentiments.

These counter claims are baseless and pure justification to their deeds and thus inaccurate. They
further rhetoric of white supremacist, bigotry, hate, prejudice and entrenchment of systemic racism.
These incidences kill confidence of institutions within which they have happened in the event of the
victim reacts in an extralegal means to be heard such as result to violence targeting innocent
members of the society and that we should shout from the highest ground against this vice. This is
because it only shields the perpetrator against the wheel of justice.

Argument

We should join hands to stem out racism in sports. This is to ensure fair opportunity for the growth
for the sport, development of talent, promotion of human dignity and provision of level playing
ground for every person from all walks of life and by extension a peaceful globe. This can be
achieved by bringing all the factions on board to seek consensus in a collaborative manner in
management of our sports so that the imagine of these organizations are reflective of the diversity
of the society from the top management to the lowest rank.