Like former talk-show host Arsenio Hall, Kenneth L. Shropshire, in his excellent book, In Black and White: Race and Sports in America, discusses things that make you go “HMMMMM?”
Unlike Hall, Shropshire not only makes you ponder, he offer insightful history and provocative analysis for why the sports world in America is so Black and white. He also provides a decisive course of action for narrowing the racial disparities which permeate that world.
Indeed, Shropshire says his goal in writing the book “was to focus on even-handed methods of addressing a continuing problem that likely will not disappear.” But he also makes a concerted effort to explain why change is so important.
He sets up his case quite nicely with an introduction that examines the realities of racism and discrimination in this country, conceding that both are as American as apple pie. Shropshire deftly uses statistics to support his case, but he also establishes three key themes in his analysis of the sports industry.
The first theme focuses on the impact of color-blind policies and the failure of such policies in addressing existing race problems. The second looks at the need to recognize that unconscious racism exists in all America. And his final theme concerns the permanence of that racism in America. Only by understanding those concepts can reform come about, declares Shropshire, who emphasizes them throughout the hook
Take his historical perspective that examines the rise of racism and discrimination in sports from its earliest roots–from mixing of the races in most athletic events, to Jim Crow segregation; from the breaking of the color barrier by Jackie Robinson, to the “lawn jockey” mentality that manifested itself in the racist comments of Al Campanis, Jimmy “the Greek” Snyder and Marge Schott. According to Shropshire, that history shows that overwhelming change has not taken place and that for Blacks to have a greater role in sports, white people will have to relinquish power.
So, what would be the primary benefits of minority ownership in professional sports? First, there is the social value of diversity. Second, Shropshire writes, there is the “financial value of diversity, in terms of allowing minorities access to a piece of the lucrative sports ownership pie and expanding the individual franchise revenues by attracting more fan support and attendance from minorities and achieving equity in player salaries without regard to race.”
Put another way, the author says meaningful sports-franchise ownership by Blacks would symbolize the narrowing of race inequity in the sports world and race issues in America in general. It would negate, to some degree, the last business in which owners bought, sold and traded people. HMMMMM?
Shropshire, who is an associate professor of legal studies at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a practicing sports law attorney, is perhaps at his sharpest when he discusses legal recourse towards achieving the social, cultural and financial benefits of diversity. But he admits that the courts can play only a limited role in mandating diversity in the front offices of sports franchises, conceding that the law has played a limited role in discrimination in the private sector. He therefore advocates the need for voluntary efforts to dismantle racism and discrimination in the sports world, placing that burden on league leaders and on athletes to address change.
“There needs to be a recognition that cooperation, not conflict, will foster growth and prosperity for all involved,” Shropshire says. HMMMMM?
But to achieve those benefits, sacrifices will have to be made. Shropshire eagerly outlines both the sacrifices and the benefits. He goes on to cite several forms of affirmative action by professional amateur, and collegiate sports organizations which are initiating sports hiring networks. Shropshire also addresses discrimination concerns at the collegiate level, most notably the argument that NCAA academic standards have a disproportionate impact on African Americans. And he discusses the exclusions and limitations Blacks suffer in other areas of the sports industry, such as selection as sports agents. He alludes to the “Colder Ice Syndrome” which justifies the suggestion by Black athletes that somehow white agents are better. HMMMMM?
In conclusion, Shropshire says that the ideal sports industry will only come about after a couple of things happen. First, there must be recognition of the existence of racism, discrimination, and limited access. Next, there must be a period when the sports world actively and aggressively adopts policies that will make racial diversity, the standard. That period of transition must include many factors, the author says, challenging the sports world to move in a positive direction. “Anyone who can have an impact on the business of sports has a responsibility to act,” he writes, “because the way sports addresses the issues says much about how other sectors will address inequality in the: future.”
One interesting side note of the book is the foreword by Hall-of-Fame football player Kellen Winslow, who provides an interesting, first-person perspective on the necessity of Shropshire’s book. Winslow who was a dazzling performer during his nine-year National Football League career, realized after he stepped into the real world that he was just another person of African American descent. Retiring from the San Diego Chargers in 1988, Winslow had hoped for a job in the front office of the team he had served so well. No opportunities were made available for him.
In 1993, the position for athletic director opened up at his alma mater, the University of Missouri, and he was asked by the search committee to submit an application. He was passed over, but more disappointing was the fact that he was informed of the decision twenty minutes before the new AD was named.
“I cannot shake the feeling that with all I brought to the table–a law degree; practical business experience; my status as a former student athlete, a collegiate All-American, and an alumnus; my stellar professional career; leadership skills; a bit of charisma; a command of the English language–that, if I were white, the job would have been mine to turn down.” HMMMMM?
Reading Shropshire’s book, you can’t help but feel that Winslow is right. In Black and White: Race and Sports in America often reads like a legal treatise–a systematic exposition or argument in writing, including a methodical discussion of the facts and principles involved and conclusions reached. Given Shropshire’s background, it is easy to see why he follows this style and it lends itself well to his legal discussions. Although the style may be a little cumbersome for the average reader, for those who have an interest in race and sports, this is a must read.
COPYRIGHT 1997 Cox, Matthews & Associates
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
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