Running head: RACIAL AND GENDER CONFLICTS IN SPORTS 1

How racial and gender conflicts manifested themselves in American sports.

Name

Institution
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American Sports is surrounded by many historical experiences and instances that highlight some

of the major problems it underwent as it grew to what it is today. It is now one of the most

embedded cultures not only in institutions but also in the American population as a whole.

According to historical analyzes, the introduction of sports in the American society was marred

with several problems due to the diversities of the American population. Gender and racial

discriminations were inevitable; however, most individuals played a major role to break these

barriers in their fight for equity. Billie Jean King fought against gender discrimination whereas

Jackie Robinson, and Michael Jordan played a major role to eliminate racial discriminations

against the blacks.

Racial and other ethnic factors played a major role in the development and the grooming of the

American Sports industry. Despite the challenges that most of the players underwent because of

racial discrimination, the ultimate price was paid to ensure continuous participation of everybody

irrespective of their race. The introduction of baseball in America highlighted the existence of

racial differences that existed in the early 1900s. Baseball league at the time was introduced

according to the race of the players. Jackie Robinson, however, went against all odds to be the

first player to participate in 1947 in major leagues. He had an exemplary performance despite the

racial abuse that was common at the time. The advancement he had with the Royals made him to

be promoted and recognized to have made history by putting the blacks in the baseball hall of

fame (Davies, 2012).

In his book, Reiss highlights some racism clashes that existed between the Negros and the whites

in the early 1900s. “These clashes in the main have been initiated by gangs of white boys”

(Reiss, 1997, p. 286). The creation of two different baseball leagues was an illustration of an

uncomfortable coexistence between the blacks and the whites in the sports arena. Despite the
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claims of The Chicago Commission on Race Relations that there existed no rules and regulations

that showed discrimination against the blacks, there existed a gap between the Negros and the

Whites. The unofficial form of discrimination was mainly due to the influence of the league

leaders and the demands of the spectator mass. Although most Baseball organizations pushed for

the recruitment of some exemplary black players into their teams, they were careful not to

surpass the standards set by the majority fans who were whites (Riess, 1997).

Racial segregation took the center stage in early American sports. Most individuals believed that

the blacks could not play at central positions that were paramount to the performance of the

team. This analogy took root in most American fans especially the whites. The management

major baseball leagues claimed that the blacks were unlikely to perform better when they play

positions that demanded critical decision making and team co-ordination. This analogy was,

however, challenged by Jackie Robinson, who was very determined in his courageous resolution

by claiming that there existed professional players among the blacks. By being one of the best

baseball players, his cry found the light of day.

Moreover, in 1913 there existed a gang of white boys who were mainly attacking Negro player

both on the streets and outside playgrounds. Their main objective was to send a message to the

blacks that they had no right to participate in any form of competition that could show them

being the superior group in America. “The fight represented the efforts of the white race to

protest its preeminence over other races by demonstrating superiority…” (Reiss, 1997, p. 288).

The advancement of the Negro players in the baseball game created a form of inferiority

complex to the white fans due to the inability of their favorite white players to outshine them.
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The terrorization of the Negros by the white gangs discouraged them from their participation in

most sports competitions. It also affected their attendance to sports events since they were at a

risk of being attacked while trying to use lavatories or while trying to navigate through some

streets that led to their playgrounds. The clashes between these groups dictated the use of

recreational facilities irrespective of the trials by several commissions to address them.

Additionally, leadership position in the early American sports industry were distributed

according to race. Many sports organization excluded blacks from any management position that

ranged from coaching to the overseeing of league competitions. Despite the allowance of the

blacks to participate in the field with the whites, they were not allowed to access any powerful

position in sports organizations. Throughout the 1970s, the blacks were barred from vying for

any top administrator’s position in any sporting industry. This exclusion was a major challenge

in the development of American sports since it showed the continuous existence of racial

discrimination (Riess, 1997).

The marginalization that occurred over the years in the sporting arena due to racial differences

affected the morale of the players especially the blacks. Individual participations in any sport

largely depended on the acceptable proportion set by the majority of the fans. Therefore, the

inclusion of the racial minority group was a challenge not only in baseball but also in other

athletic competitions. It was not until the year 1947 when the blacks were included in the Major

Baseball League. Their admission into this major league, however, had restrictions. It only

allowed a limited number of blacks in their training camps since the fans only accepted teams

that had more whites.

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There is a general belief in the American community that there exist a racial dominance in some

of the sports. Some sports are characterized to be only for the blacks while others are seen to be

only for the whites. For instance, basketball, boxing, and other wrestling matches are dominated

by blacks. Michael Jordan’s rising to fame in basketball set a pace in the fight against racial

discrimination. His participation in the NBA championships while playing for the Chicago Bulls

highlighted his professionalism since he won the title of the Most Valuable Player Award several

times. He acted as a landmark for the fight against racial discriminations by showing that

African-Americans had the ability to participate favorably with the whites in any sport.

Moreover, he furthered his ambition by leading the American team at the 1992 Olympic Games

in Spain to win the gold medal. Also, the fight of the century between Jim Jeffries and Jack

Johnson was paramount in the elimination of racism in American sports (Davies, 2012). It

showed the need to involve blacks in most sports activities.

Also, racial discrimination in America affected the field of Olympics a lot. The blacks were not

allowed to head any coaching, managing or executive ranks especially in the universities and

colleges. This action affected the blacks’ involvement in athletics since most individuals never

preferred their participation. In the year 1968, African American athletes made history in the

Olympics held at Mexico when they staged a silent protest against racism (Reiss, 1997). John

Carlos and Tommie Smith who won bronze and gold medals respectively protested by bowing

their heads and raised their black-gloved hands. Their actions showed their stand with the blacks

by proving that they can favorably compete well. Their protest attracted support all over the

world since many civil rights activists took the center stage to ensure the elimination of racism in

the society.
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Another major problem that has affected sports development in America over the years is gender

conflicts. The gender roles in the world of sports have gradually changed over the past 100 years.

The sports that were early deemed unfit for the feminine gender have attracted women’s

attention since most of them have performed perfectly well in them. According to Davies, sports

has taken a different route where women appreciated and encouraged to participate in as many

sports as they can.

“Sport was identified as exertive as exertive activities that required ruggedness, strength courage,

and vigor” (Reiss, 1997, p. 244). Therefore, many people in the history of sports believed that

only men were supposed to participate in this sports due to their stamina that can help them

perform. However, Tennis Player Billie Jean King broke all gender barriers to be one of the best

women to have participated in tennis competition in 1943. In the year 1967, Billie became the

top-ranked woman in tennis competitions when she outshone Bobby Riggs to win the “Battle of

the Sexes” title.

Sport was seen as an activity that promoted men’s’ sound morals since it enabled them to certify

their manhood. It was an act in the early American culture where men used it to show their

graduation from childhood. Men used sports to show how they have advanced in their manliness

by moving away from feminine activities that included the influence of religion, culture and

education. By participating in sporting activities, a man could prove that he is not a sissy but an

energetic individual who had an energetic ability to do all that pertains to being a man.

After a while, women participates in some sporting activities that never majored on vigor

activities. These activities included ice skating that never demanded masculinity. Other major

sports like boxing, baseball and horse racing were considered inappropriate for women. Most
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believers of the domesticity cult believed that a woman’s role is the raising of children by

ensuring the moral uprightness as well as performing other house chore duties.

Women were barred from participating in most sporting activities since they claimed that they

would learn values like pride and aggression that could make them raise a hand to their men.

Their participation in sports could compromise their good qualities that include modesty and

self-control that were paramount for domesticity (Riess, 1997).

For many years, sports were inappropriate to many young American women who were still

schooling and those in the working class since they had limited time. Others were also

pressurized to conform to their traditional norms of their femininity and be respectable to the

community at large.

Recently, women have strived so much to counter the various activities that were inhibited in

America before. Through their social movements, they have fought for equal representation in all

major sports activities ranging from ball games to athletics. Women’s first participation in

baseball during World War II helped to encourage many women to enroll in several sporting

activities (Davies, 2012). Their performance was validated by their ability to compete favorably

in the then Major Leagues.

The women’s ability to gain media coverage has helped to push for their inception into most

sporting activities. Their continuous fight to ensure their survival is the sport is not short of a

success as far as their historical background is concerned. Despite the continuous

discouragement to women not to participate in sports like hockey that are dominated by men,

most of them break these stereotypes.

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The inclusion of athletics and other sporting activities in women’s colleges has helped to shape

the sports life of women. “ Political battles over the development of athletic programs for

schoolgirls and college women during the past four decades have been, and remain, an integral

part of a much larger national struggle against gender discrimination” (Davies, 2012, p. 154 )The

appreciation of women who participate in this activities plays a major role in encouraging

women to participate more. The introduction of swimming and basketball competitions in

colleges has increased the women’s taste for sports due to their struggle to win several

championship competitions.

Women also faced a lot of challenges as far as gender discrimination in Olympic Games are

concerned. The general assumption that existed in the 20 th century that women should not

assume duties that required masculinity affected women’s participation in Olympics. Racing and

filed events participation was not suited for women. Despite this challenge women with the help

of several activist groups took the center stage to protest against this exclusion from Olympics.

Their actions were voiced when women participated in the Olympics in 1990 (Davies, 2012). In

spite of the fact that they only competed in only tennis and golf games, their continuous

participation increased tremendously. This is evident in the year 2012 when the 44% of women

who participated in Olympics.

According to Reiss, no woman should be prohibited from participating in any sporting activity.

Just like men, women have a higher tendency of performing in tough sports activities that

demand masculinity due to their rough nature (Reiss, 1997).

Concerning the business of sports, several fans before World War II due to the inability

of listening or watching sport at the comfort of their homes, they had to find ways to attend live
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games as they were played from the arenas. This urge increased the income obtained by league

owners especially in baseball games. The live radio broadcast of baseball after 1930s was

expected to reduce the number of audience who could be willing to visit arenas but in return it

increased the number of fans. This is because several people wanted to see their favorite players

especially after they hear their names from the radio.

Over the years, the media transmission has advanced drastically with the o the airing of

live games over the television networks. This action has not only enabled the several individuals

to participate in cheering of their sports stars all over the world. Additionally, there is the use of

the smart technology to engage individuals by convincing them to watch live games at the

comfort of their homes. The use of smart screens TV and mobile phones has helped a lot to

ensure the fans contribution towards matches.

In conclusion, it is evident that the American sports has evolved in many areas. The

elimination of racial and gender discrimination in sports acts as a major milestone for equity to

all. The struggles of the social movements and the professionalism of the black players helped a

lot to make this ambition see the light of day. Moreover, the motivation that women in sports

have had over the first years has enabled them to break the traditionalism that existed a century

ago. Exemplary performance of women in the field of sports has encouraged the participation of

women in many activities ranging from ball games to the athletics. The passage of laws to ensure

gender equity and eliminate racial discrimination have also helped to shape the sporting arena.
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References

Davies, R. O. (Ed.). (2012). Sports in American Life: A History. Chichester, UK: John Wiley &

Sons, Inc.

Riess, S. A. (Ed.). (1997). Major Problems in American Sport History. Boston: Houghton

Mifflin Company.