In both
casual conversation and trying to look it up online the generalisation is that “black
people are better at sports” than most other races. This may be because of what
I’m researching specifically and who I talk to but overall, it seems to be a
pretty common stereotype both portrayed in the media and a prominent reinforced
idea. This usually draws back to links of ‘biology’ or ‘genetics’ where black
people are just ‘built’ in a way that is made for sports and athleticism whereas
other races are not built in the same way and have to work hard and train hard
to be successful physically.
One argument
comes down to evolution, and a video (link 1 below) that explained the whole
process of why black people are ‘designed’ in a way that makes them so good at
sports. In a nutshell, the video argues that because of slavery and the ideas
behind evolution, that only the strongest black people survived i.e. survival
of the fittest. This means that those who were physically weaker were ‘filtered
out’ therefore, physically (and thus athletically) black people are scientifically
and genetically more competent in sports.
Even without
believing in the theory of evolution, there is a repetitiveness in the media
and in everyday life about the “natural ability” of black athletes. This idea
that they just woke up one day and ran faster than everybody else because they
were just born with speed. This can obviously not be true and is not true as
there are clearly black people who do not have athletic abilities yet somehow
the ideas are still prominent and this is because they are in some way ‘justified’
by adding a scientific and biological twist to it.
If theory
is rooted in science it becomes more likely to be regarded as factual. As a person
who is perhaps not that informed on the theory of evolution or the history of
slavery or science in general or any of these topics it is easy to completely
naturalise and internalise the arguments being put forward as factually correct
as they are being ‘proved’ by science.
If this
only occurred in the world of sports it would be problematic to say the least
but not detrimental, however race is something that is a complete social and
cultural construct. If society continues to naturalise and create a completely
realistic ‘us’ and ‘them’ with the use of ‘biological differences’, there will
never be a chance for equality or an end to racism.
Link 1: Why Black Athletes Are Bigger, Stronger
and Faster – (Part 1 of 3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmG4d-nZFXs
As soon as i read the title, it concerned me that people would even click play on this video. I strongly believe that if you work hard for something, especially if you are an athlete, you can get to where you want to get. This false idea that black people are built with better bodies for athletics, and have better natural abilities creates a racist community for those who believe this is true. In your words which i could not agree more with as state above ,'there will never be a chance for equality or an end to racism' if this keeps on reinforcing individuals.
ReplyDeleteThe video link intro is just a quick skit on how all black people can't possibly be good at sports! Glad you agree with my argument.
DeleteThis idea feeds the stereotype which seems to ultimately push people to take or not take part in physical activity. If you are constantly told that you are or are not something, then there is a higher chance that yo u will do it. For example, a lot of black Americans are told that basketball is their way out, or that running track will see you to a better life. In contrast,as a white athlete in those same sports you are told that if you are not black, you will not be any or as good. the use examples for the numbers of black vs numbers of whites in the NBA etc. However, what people fail to see is that if a group or individual is under the illusion that to succeed they must take art, then it is no wonder that we see larger numbers of peoples than others doing certain activities. Take the 100m sprint and Jamaicans for example. Athletics and particularly the 100m sprint is a national sport in Jamaica. Its a huge part of their culture. Just like rugby is in NZ. In NZ we see top world rugby players being predominately white (McCaw, Carter etc) and no one mentions that you need to be black to be good at rugby. In Jamaica and also USA, athletics is better funded and NFL abilities are easily translated into track and field abilities. This whole idea that you need to be black to be good at sports is not entirely true. Sure, some sports are better suited to different body types but ultimately genetics only gets you a foot in the door. Hard work and dedication gets you across the Line. it is this stereotype which we seem to believe which ultimate;y results in larger numbers of black athletes taking part in sports such as athletics, NFL and Basketball. It has also been said that black athletes dominate speed and explosive sports due to genetics. The long jump world record is held by a black athlete Mike Powell, but the triple jump WR is held by Jonathan Edwards (white athlete).
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