Ethics in Sports Racial Equity By: Jeffry Breitbach & Kyle Conzett

Racism Definition  Racism- is the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of one particular race over others.

Racial Equity Background  Discriminatory practices and written and unwritten agreements prevented African Americans from competing against and with the supposed white dominant Caucasian race.  White males dominated sport because of moral ignorance supported by racist education and social systems.  Most whites accepted and acted upon the belief that everyone else was inherently inferior and undeserving of equitable treatment.

Racial Equity Background  Ethical concerns emerged because of discriminatory treatment based on preconceived ideas, unfounded prejudices, and widespread biases.  Most white sport leaders and athletes simply refused to allow African Americans, and sometimes other minorities, to join their leagues.  When a few tried to break these barriers, they were verbally and physically assaulted.  African Americans formed separate teams and competed among themselves.

Racial Injustices in Sport: Past & Present  Historical Perspective of Racial Inequity in Sport  From Exclusion to Opportunities Limited by Economic Realities  School Segregation Gives Way to Integration  Integration of Intercollegiate Sport  Professional Sport  Societal Attitudes

Historical Perspective of Racial Inequity in Sport  Unheard of African American super stars: - Paul Robeson (Football) - Ora Washington (Tennis & Basketball) - Josh Gibson (Baseball)  To most whites, these African American athletes were ignored or even worse.

Class Discussion Question  Did the exclusion of African Americans from all levels of sport violate any moral values?  Did white sport leaders fail to reason morally and thus act in unethical manner?

From Exclusion to Opportunities Limited by Economic Realities  Lack of financial resources many African Americans never got the chance to play golf, to swim, to play tennis, or compete in other similar activities.  Even in recent decades, few African American children are members of swimming, tennis, and golf clubs or gymnastics teams.  Notable exceptions: - Tiger Woods - Arthur Ashe

School Segregation Gives Way to Integration  Civil Rights Legislation 1960s, segregated schools became illegal.  Due to integration many African American coaches lost their jobs, while almost all white coaches retained their positions.

Remember the Titans  BDzQoBE BDzQoBE

Class Discussion Questions  Would a more reasoned approach have been to promote cultural diversity by placing students of all races in both former all-white and all-black schools, rather than usually uprooting African American students?  Today, many football and basketball teams have a much higher percentage of African Americans that do the schools student bodies. What are the ethical issues associated with this phenomenon?

Integration of Intercollegiate Sport  Occasionally in the past when African Americans did get to play on the Northern athletic teams:  Suffered mistreatment from teammates  Segregated sleeping and eating quarters  Endured physical and verbal abuse  Did not get to play when Southern teams refused to play against them.

Integration of Intercollegiate Sport Examples

Johnny Bright Incident

Integration of Intercollegiate Sport Examples  Johnny Bright  Quarterback for Drake University  Mitchell Tatum  Halfback for Midwestern University  Music Major  Conference Record 1,572 yards  Dr. Cooper – Music Director at the famed Southern College

Professional Sport  In the past African Americans often lived and ate together, socially segregated from their white teammates.  Until recently African Americans could not expect to receive endorsements. (Michael Jordan & Tiger Woods)  For decades, African Americans were not expected to be hired as coaches and administrators in professional sport.

Professional Sport  African Americans today comprise for 65% of football athletes and 15% of baseball.  Proportionately fewer substitutes of color ride the bench.  Many African Americans receive lower salaries than comparably skilled white athletes.

Class Discussion Question  How can moral knowing and moral valuing bring about greater equity in sport for African Americans?

Societal Attitude  Socioeconomic status determines sport choice  Gradually African Americans achieved equal status  Today athletic talent counts  The key to equity is education

Separate but Equal  was a policy enacted into law throughout the U.S. Southern states during the period of segregation  It stated that African-Americans and European-Americans would receive the same services (schools, hospitals, water fountains, bathrooms, etc.), but that there would be distinct facilities for each race.  Due to racist attitudes, however, the facilities were, in fact, unequal, with poorer facilities being allotted to Blacks than to Whites.

Are Organizational Policies Affecting African Americans Disproportionately?  No Pass, No Play  Students raised in disadvantaged circumstances educational encouragement or proper learning materials.  This can cause students to fall behind academically.  NCAA mandates 68 cumulative ACT score and 2.5 GPA to be eligible for grants.

Are Organizational Policies Affecting African Americans Disproportionately?  Some African American coaches have protested that these academic requirements discriminate against people of color.  College presidents and athletic administrators claim that higher standards have been enacted to improve the image and integrity of intercollegiate athletics, not to discriminate against African Americans.

Class Discussion Questions  Do you support one side or another about the academic requirement policies?  When athletes are given grades to maintain eligibility are they being deprived on an adequate education?  Are they being taught to value athletics more than education?  Are they being taught dishonesty?

Role Models  99% of high school athletes never become pros  Within 3 to 5 years they are without a job  Importance of role models start at young age  Students choose role models in same sport

Stacking  Stacking (position allocation) - is the practice of concentrating members of certain racial groups in certain positions, on and off the field.  1)racist stereotypes  2)racial discrimination  3)economic assumptions  4)self-selection  5)emulate historically successful athletes  6)residual prejudicial attitude

Quota System  Only a limited number of minorities could play at one time.  This has restricted opportunities for minorities at all levels of sporting.

Class Discussion Question  Have coaches that have tried to persuade players into certain athletic roles based on color treated these athletes dishonestly?

African American Athletes as Portrayed in the Media  Hank Aaron  Bill Russell  Arthur Ashe  Cam Newton

Native Americans as Portrayed in the Media  Washington Redskins  Braves  Sioux  Who determines what is racist?

Myths  African Americans are physiologically superior.  African Americans are intellectually inferior thus not qualified for coaching or team management positions.  African American athletes use sport as a vehicle for upward mobility.  African American athletes are treated as equals of their white teammates.  African American athletes have the ability to play only reactive, rather than decision-making or leadership positions.

African Americans are physiologically superior  In reality the research is inconclusive  Knowledgeable people continue to disagree about finding in related subject matter.

African Americans are intellectually inferior thus not qualified for coaching or team management positions  Many African American coaches today thrive and are successful (Lovie Smith, Mike Tomlin, etc.)  “good old boys” network led to hiring of coaches, scouts, and general managers of similar ethnic and social backgrounds.  This may have been due to comfort in hiring someone like themselves, rather than someone unknown and unsimilar.

African American athletes use sport as a vehicle for upward mobility  1 : 1,000,000 chance of becoming a professional athlete.  Of this small % these athletes average less than a five year career.  Chasing elusive media superstardom leaves to many of today’s youth squandering education opportunities.

African American athletes are treated as equals of their white teammates  African Americans on average:  Earn lower salaries  Receive fewer and smaller endorsements  Receive less media exposure  Seldom are retained if are marginal players

African American athletes have the ability to play only reactive, rather than decision-making or leadership positions  Lack of moral valuing has retarded opportunities to develop the leadership skills needs to play certain positions (i.e. quarterback, catcher).  With this being said African American have demonstrated the skills required to play every position in sports such as football, basketball, and baseball.