Jayson Baker's Racism And Discrimination In The Sporting World

In a racially segregated America that dictated a separate game for white and black fans, there necessarily developed two distinct baseball cultures. During this separation, baseball was not complete. The majority of Americans rode with the flow of the mainstream, following its course intently, with only an occasional excursion to see the flow of the parallel stream. "Thus, for a half-century, white Americans sat watching major league baseball, only vaguely aware of the shadowy world of black baseball that existed beyond the scope of their vision"(Riley, J. 1996). To most white baseball observers, black ballplayers were as unreal as the shadows on Plato's wall. In this world of reflected images there existed exceptionally talented players whose ability was unsurpassed anywhere.

Baseball has been known as America’s great sport since the 1920’s. Many people love to watch the games and create their own fantasy teams because they look up to the wide, diverse players on each team. Every team consists of males of different races and this helps bring culture into the great game. Having such a big diversity in one sport makes it easier for more people to enjoy because there is something in it for every person. However, baseball has not always been like this. From the very beginning of baseball, only white men were playing in the Major Leagues. African Americans were technically allowed to be on the team, but no one wanted them on the Major League teams. This was a time where African American’s were still treated badly and segregation was very big. People would not see an African American on a baseball team until the 1940’s. The first African American to play on a white team had to be the best at the game and needed the strength to withhold any feelings that would lead him to acting out because of the things the whites would do or say to him. This man happened to be the young, courageous Jackie Robinson. The hardships Jackie Robinson endured changed the game of baseball and still influences not just athletes, but people in every aspect of life.

But honestly Jackie Robinson squashed that to pieces. “1947 Robinson became the “rookie of the year” made the difference… Jackie instantly became the league’s biggest draw”(Sailer 4). Jackie was getting so much attention that in “1948 one year after Jackie Robinson milestone… Gotham corporation issued him a baseball game named after him”(Wong 30). The company took note on how much popularity a black rookie and instantly became a huge success. “ The liberal world view, discrimination stem from ignorance of the actual talents of blacks in baseball, opposite was true”(Sailer 3). The pigmentation that is visual to the human eye is very noticeable especially the darker tones. Having so much talent and not being white was look down upon it wasn’t till recently like Jackie Robinson and others started to change the different angle people perceived. “Jackie opened people's eyes of all races that skin color had nothing to do with talent ability, hard work, strength of character, matter the most”(Glasser 11). Finally people where paying attention to what a black person had to say, and if no one listened the actions of Robinson showed through even in the tough times. “Between 1949-1962 black players where dominating the game by winning 11 out of 14 NL MVP awards”(Sailer 3). It wasn't to common to see a black man playing in the leagues after WWII. The odds where still being defined Robinson was a intelligent

The general setting of “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison is the southern United States in the 20th century. The story is told only after a few decades after the end of slavery, so the racial tensions between black and white Americans are strained which is definitely revealed in the story. Since these tensions are a significant part of the short story, the mood becomes anxious and fraught. The story also takes place in a ballroom which smelled like “tobacco and whiskey,” intensifying the serious aspect of the mood. Also, “[c]hairs went crashing, drinks were split” which further emphasizes the chaoticness of the environment. There was also a boxing ring in the room as “[c]airs were arranged in neat rows around three sides of a portable boxing ring.” In the story, the white spectators forced black kids to fight each other for their own amusement, highlighting the violent atmosphere and also the power dynamics of the characters as there is an explicit disparity that favors the white men over the black

In this research I will examine numbers that have been put together and analyze interviews that were performed with some professionals as well as highly accredited sports journalist. Although I will focus on professional baseball I will also provide some insight on youth baseball to see what the future may hold as far as the possibility of another increase in the percentage of African-Americans in the pros. As the years gone on there has also been an increase in latin baseball players throughout professional baseball, as well as a decrease in whites. Some questions regarding the topic are what is causing the decline in the percentage? What initiative is being taken by Major League Baseball to help try to increase the percentages? What is significant about baseball compared to other sports (football, basketball) that makes them different and less attractive to African-American youth?

Despite the color barrier being broken in 1947, the amount of African Americans in the MLB has been steadily declining for over two decades from nearly thirty percent to an all-time low of eight percent of the leagues players. The MLB has spent years creating think tanks and task forces attempting to figure out why this decline is happening and how to reverse it. Their biggest motivator is that the MLB has fallen behind both the NBA and NFL in popularity, with the African American fan base shrinking at the highest rate. There is a vast amount of opinions with varying reasoning from the sport being too white with an all-white viewership, to African Americans are drawn to more physical sports, there’s far too much bias and stereotypes involved

Several sports writers during this era wanted to put an end to the ban of Negro League players from entering MLB. They felt that players from the Negro League could fill in the weakness that MLB had, and bring more of an excitement to the game. Furthermore, a need of a dialogue between societies was needed to discuss social issues like discrimination and racism. One sport writer wrote, "I think newspapers have been taking care of middle America for a hundred years. We need more dialogue (on the sports pages). It's the only way we're going to educate white America, 61% of which clings to the illusion that there is no discrimination. If the education must be done on the sports pages, what's wrong with that," (Kelley, page 138).

Baseball is generally known as America’s favorite pastime. A sport that has been around since the 18th century with a never ending to the sport. The sport of baseball is not only played in the United State, but also in many other countries as well. These countries have such a rich cultural fanbase, it is hardly possible to say that Baseball is only an “American sport.” The Dominican Republic has supplied a great amount of players into the Major League Baseball (Jessop 1). In this paper I present and defend my thesis that Dominican baseball players do not have the same opportunities as a player born in the United States. For decades the MLB has used the Dominican Republic as a pipeline for baseball talent (NSB,6). Over a quarter of baseball players in the major leagues are of

The relationship between sport and society is often complex in nature, sometime emotional, and deeply personal. Part of the complexity can be explained as we explore our attachment to early American Baseball, Babe Ruth and evolving relationship within America’s immigrant communities. “Sports represents a window into the soul of the culture of it’s’ participants”. (Prettyman). Self-described as America pastime, it is a reflection of society. Baseball "reflected broader changes in society and maintained a special place in American culture and to that end, as Americans struggled, during the transitional period from an agrarian to an industrial environment, to find components for a national identity (Tygiel)”. Baseball continued to operate as a work in progress as it reflected the business of sports, society and economic growth occurred during a tumultuous time period. Full of social inequalities, baseball exploded in popularity during the 1920’s with an unlikely hero situated for the uprising. Babe Ruth, baseball’s most popular player of the time was the beneficiary of society's fascination with celebrity. As a star, Babe Ruth was a central link that helped to cement sports, society and its racial culture together.

Baseball is often referred to as America’s pastime and a symbol of American culture. Baseball has long stood as an integral part of the American way of life. Yet, for nearly one hundred years of its professional life a significant portion of the population was banned from participating in baseball at the Major League level. Some of America’s most talented ballplayers were forced to play in leagues that provided little support or opportunity. Because of an unwritten rule, baseball’s hierarchy prevented African American men from playing on the same team as white men, even if the African American men’s talents far exceeded that of their white counterparts. Baseball’s eventual integration would change the face of American culture and upend

“Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson,” is a documentary on the first black World Heavyweight Boxing Champion John Arthur “Jack” Johnson. In 1910, after years of trying to challenge white Heavyweight Champions, Jack won the title. The era in which Johnson fought was filled with racial tension and hostility (Film). Fears of the black race gaining control and power were high, and there were numerous efforts to keep blacks oppressed and separated from the white community. When one hears stories of past discrimination and oppression it is natural to compare them to today's society, and speak of past oppression as if they are non-existent. Even though there have been uprisings and revolts among minority groups to gain

Racial stereotypes that have affected the ways athletes behave and perform further reinforce these racial standards. Therefore, the stereotypes become more prevalent and with time they are further enhanced by the media. Thus, athletes themselves often believe these misconceptions and determine their own destiny with this in mind. While the stereotypes of African Americans have infiltrated their childhood lives unfortunately contributing to their own beliefs in these stereotypes, the Asian American desire to rid themselves of these stereotypes acts as a paradox because instead, it further enhances and reinforces the color line. While discussing professional level sports within the United States, Asian Americans are often left out of the picture

During the Harlem Renaissance, a large movement of African American artists formed to express themselves during this hard time of racial discrimination. During this time, people of color were seen as objects, meant only as entertainment, and not in any way as free as they were promised. In the first chapter of the novel Invisible Man, “Battle Royal”, our protagonist, who was originally there for a speech, ended up being in the middle of a battle royal, along with a few other African American gentlemen, purely for the amusement of the older white men watching. During his speech, the audience, laughing the whole time, forced him to repeats words in his speech, and constantly interrupted him. Little to the knowledge of the protagonist, all of

After being humiliated and displayed he is now being told to enter he boxing ring for the “battle royal”. In this event, the narrator and several of his classmates must fight blindfolded until only one person remains standing. While the drunken crowd of respected bankers, lawyers, judges, doctors, and even a pastor finds this to be great entertainment, to the participants it is quite humiliating and degrading. Eventually the narrator and one other man are left alone in the ring. The narrator offers to let the other man win, but the request is refused. Therefore, the two continue to fight until the narrator eventually loses. The fact that grown, respected man can watch and be entertained by this barbaric behavior. I believe that these young men were placed on display for these influential white men. These young men were used to amuse them for one night. It is as if these influential white men were watching two chickens go at it or two dogs fighting. Those young men may have been black but they

The reading is about Sports, racism and the worldview and fundamental belief in an organization of people based on faith rather than evidence. Furthermore, during the time, Racism is so deeply embedded in American life and culture that it has become in some ways hidden from sight. For instance, During the interview of Mr. Barry Bonds who is a baseball player, with the Boston Globe, they asked him if he is going to finish his career in Beantown? Unfortunately, he shook his head and respond that Boston is too racist for him.