Free to Stand: Limits of Meritocracy in Sports

Presenter and Advisor Information

Matthew Moser, Illinois Wesleyan University

Submission Type

Event

Faculty Advisor

Joanne Diaz

Expected Graduation Date

2018

Location

Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University

Start Date

4-21-2018 9:00 AM

End Date

4-21-2018 10:00 AM

Disciplines

Education

Abstract

The general populace of America views sports as a symbol of meritocracy, however when athletes of color attempt to bring this supposed level of equality to minority communities by performing non-violent and non-disruptive protests before taking the field, they are met with disdain from the general populace. By providing a close reading of numerous popular American sport movies, including Miracle and Hoosiers, I will demonstrate the origins of this socially constructed concept of an athlete and how it disproportionately hampers a minority athlete’s ability to perform actions of social justice and reinforces institutionalized racism. Focusing on the recent developments surrounding Colin Kaepernick, I will bring attention to the president’s support of this harmful thought process, exposing the crumbling barrier between private industry and governmental desire to quell conversations surrounding racial disparity in America. This in turn reinforces white supremacy.

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Apr 21st, 9:00 AM Apr 21st, 10:00 AM

Free to Stand: Limits of Meritocracy in Sports

Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University

The general populace of America views sports as a symbol of meritocracy, however when athletes of color attempt to bring this supposed level of equality to minority communities by performing non-violent and non-disruptive protests before taking the field, they are met with disdain from the general populace. By providing a close reading of numerous popular American sport movies, including Miracle and Hoosiers, I will demonstrate the origins of this socially constructed concept of an athlete and how it disproportionately hampers a minority athlete’s ability to perform actions of social justice and reinforces institutionalized racism. Focusing on the recent developments surrounding Colin Kaepernick, I will bring attention to the president’s support of this harmful thought process, exposing the crumbling barrier between private industry and governmental desire to quell conversations surrounding racial disparity in America. This in turn reinforces white supremacy.