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.. And I am simply wondering if that hurts black people's reputation...
Sports is the escape out of poverty for poor people. I bet you that you will not find the sons of black doctors and lawyers winning medals in the Olympics. They have better things to do than to engage huge amounts of energy into an activity where only a few can expect great success.
If race was the reason behind this Africa (and not just East Africa) would dominate all the sports that require athleticism.
In some of these nations this is the opportunity available to blacks, and so this is where much of the focus lies.
And yes there are certain sports that whites in South Africa dominate. Swimming being an example.
Yup, I am black and I have always been bad at sport.
It says more about the socio-economic opportunities for a specific group in that country. Why do Italians no longer dominate the boxing ring? For the opposite reason Mexicans and Russians now do..
Sports is the escape out of poverty for poor people. I bet you that you will not find the sons of black doctors and lawyers winning medals in the Olympics. They have better things to do than to engage huge amounts of energy into an activity where only a few can expect great success.
Probably, but - at least in Europe - blacks are not famous for being doctors or scientists. Basically we only perceive them as asylum seekers or athletes. And their success in sports keeps that image alive.
Probably, but - at least in Europe - blacks are not famous for being doctors or scientists. Basically we only perceive them as asylum seekers or athletes. And their success in sports keeps that image alive.
Nope, it says more about what certain populations like to see, in Britain and in America Nigerian children often outperform the native caucasian population academically.
It is not that well known because the British media for example does not want it to be. Alongside Asian children the youngest children to pass national exams are Nigerian (please see below)
At best, it is what it is. At worst, it can be bad. In this world, this is how things work. Yes, the athletes get alot of popularity. However, it can hurt from the perspective that you can be thought of as "the dumb jock". Being Black, it could be used to say "Blacks are athletic, but they aren't very smart". This can hurt when in the classroom. This can hurt when trying to compete in the corporate world. It can be harmful when someone says "pursue sports" and doesn't see anything for you beyond that.
Personal experience. I did run track and cross country in school. I am also Black. One day I was hanging around the gym after practice. Another teammate challenged me to gym onto the stage (gym doubles as auditorium). Another person nearby (not a team member)said "of course he can, he's Black ". My teammate basically told that guy to shut and to quit getting racial. I thought about that event. Yes, I was in a sport. I didn't expect to make it my life goal. I never expected a scholarship to come from it. To be reduced to a stereotype is disgusting.
Exactly, the image we have creates expectations, and dare someone not meet them. I remember watching some movie years ago where there was a black intellectual who sucked at sports, music and dancing, and some white guy said something like, what's wrong with you?
Exactly, the image we have creates expectations, and dare someone not meet them. I remember watching some movie years ago where there was a black intellectual who sucked at sports, music and dancing, and some white guy said something like, what's wrong with you?
I have had that experience. One guy came up to me and said that I was "the whitest Black person he had ever seen". That was crazy to say the least.
I think almost every ethnic group suffers from stereotypes. But some stereotypes are worse than others. Regarding this topic, being athletic is not as "valuable" as being intelligent.
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