Stereotypes In The NBA

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Sports is a huge factor in the American culture. Not only is it a way of entertainment for people but it is a social institution. From television commercials to billboards to people priding themselves in sports gear. Sports is a way for people to express their culture and represent their racial backgrounds. Sports has been an avenue for people to freely be themselves in their own skin color. They are not judged by their race but how well they can perform or are physically gifted. But unfortunately sports has been racialized in a unsaid manner. Especially in thet National Basketball Association (NBA). The NBA is a racialized institution due to the history, position, and management of this organization. Research clearly shows how racial structures have impacted the NBA.
Since the time of slavery …show more content…

These stereotypes were especially faced when Black men were involved in sports. Often Black men were forced to partake in sports to entertain White people (Rhoden, 2006). The way they succeeded athletically was very natural and were seen as violent. Although it was unfortunate that they were forced to do such things this led them to pride their humanity and strengths in projecting their athletic talents (Rhoden, 2006). Even though there was a potential to sports being a way for Blacks to liberate themselves from slavery it was also an opportunity for Whites to segregate the Black players and have control over the sports industry. In 1950 the NBA was racially integrated, where it began with the different types of players (Ashe, 1988). Integration was stated to be improving among the Blacks and Whites equally but in reality has been a way for Whites to have supremacy over the NBA (Griffin, 2012). During the integration time NBA was having a difficult time with social popularity but the solution they found to revive the game was by playing African American players. Since African American basketball players were characterized by their speed,

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