Race and Racial Equity

Question 1

Historical Context

Answer 1

-Racism has always existed
-It’s worldwide and not exclusive to America
-Transfers to sport

Blacks were not permitted in sports; 1936 Jesse Owens & 1947 Jackie Robinson

Question 2

Racism as Ethical?

Answer 2

Teleological - Fairness? Fair to judge based on skin color?

Consequentialist? - Most people benefit from racism The victims of racism? Society at large?

Deontological - Golden Rule? Would you want to be judged if you were opposed/the color of your skin?

Question 3

Strategic Decision Making

Answer 3

• Win more games with the best athletes, regardless of skin color
• Was it a moral decision to allow non-whites into sports (Interest Convergence)

Question 4

Meritocracy

Answer 4

A system where participants advance on merit, talent, and hard work, rather than politics, race, or cultural ideology

Question 5

Meritocracy for Athletes

Answer 5

Meritocracy works better for athletes than coaches and sports administrators (management)

Athletes chosen, hired, promoted, and paid based on objective criteria/being good

Question 6

Meritocracy for Coaches and Administrators

Answer 6

• Personal decisions based on more subjective criteria - winning/losing record may not be indicative of a good or bad coach
• Networking and hiring friends
• Good coaches can still lose

Bad coaches can still win

All of these however, makes it possible for racism to creep into decision-making

Question 7

Strategic to Hire by Race?

Answer 7

• Short term - payback and network, old boys network
• Long-term - not best for the organization

Example: Notre Dame and Ty Willingham (black) & Charlie Whis (white)

Question 8

Progress since 1947

Answer 8

• Certainly with athlete inclusion in sport
• Within management/coaching

Question 9

Is racism more discreet today?

Answer 9

• Country clubs?
• Summer Leagues? (AAU, AYBT)
• Racial statements - those which create or contribute to inequality
• Stacking - one sport for position the domain of race - effect on youth participation?
• Token athletes and administrators
• Fallacy of hiring on experience and catch-22

Question 10

Sports media report on racism , but are they guilty of racism themselves

Answer 10

• Employment figures
• Announcer comments
• Take changes on hiring non-whites
• Rules> Rooney Rule in NFL

Question 11

Athletes and Activism?

Answer 11

• Athletes criticized for being active (Kaepernick)
• Athletes criticized for being inactive (OJ Simpson)