Nineteen Fifty-Six Vol. 2 No. 5

the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Based on the study, that’s
not enough time for Black people to become genetically
and athletically superior to their white counterparts.
In fact, this evolution may not even become reality.
The myth around Black athletic superiority exists because
for many young Black kids, sports are the only way to
achieve success.
The presence of Black people in major American sports
is vast. However, when one looks at the demographics of
sports like tennis, gymnastics, soccer, golf, baseball and
other sports, the Black population begins to dwindle.
So much to the point that it’s clearly evident that Black
people can only dominate the sports they have access to.
Take soccer for an example. The U.S. has been successful in
the international arena, winning World Cups and Olympic
medals. But, it cannot — nor should it — be overlooked
that the rosters of these winning teams are predominantly
white.
Soccer has catapulted several stars from slums and
impoverished neighborhoods into stardom, but that isn’t
the case in the U.S.
“The system is not working for the underserved
community,” Doug Andreassen, former chairman for the
U.S. Soccer Diversity Task Force, said. “It’s working for the
white kids.”
America is only 31 years into its soccer boom, but little has
changed in providing equitable access to the sport.
A 2013 University of Chicago study examined the effects of
the pay-to-play system on American soccer. Roger Bennett
and Greg Kaplan compared the background of every U.S.
national men’s team member from 1993 to 2013 to NBA allstars
and NFL pro bowlers.
The results of this study may be unsurprising to few.
The players came from communities that had higher
incomes, education and employment rankings, and were
whiter than the U.S. average. Basketball and football
players were from places that ranked lower than average
on the same demographics.
Perception is key to the equity gap in soccer. Former
American soccer player Briana Scurry said the sport
is viewed as a “white, Suburban sport.” In fact, Scurry
didn’t even know about soccer until her family moved to a
suburban community.
It’s safe to say little has been done to change that
perception.
Expensive equipment and fees coupled with limited access
and exposure forces Black athletes to play football and
basketball. That leads to a high Black population in those
sports and low Black populations in the others.
From the moment people step foot into the U.S., they
are told about the “American Dream —” the concept that
anyone from any background can achieve success in this
country. However, it’s no secret that Black people in the
U.S. have limited chances to achieve the “American Dream.”
From microaggressions, financial inequalities, pop culture
and the education system, Black people are often forced to
limit their aspirations.
Due to centuries of injustice towards African-American
communities, Black kids grow up believing their options
are limited. Their opportunities seem significantly smaller
than their white counterparts.
It’s ok to dream about playing in the NFL, the NBA or any
other professional sport. White kids dream about that,
too. What’s not ok is how that dream is used — through
systemic inequalities — to force Black kids into a corner.
Black kids, then, become desperate to find a way to the top
and for most, it’s the sport they fell in love with so long
ago.
What’s a choice for white kids is sometimes the only
option for Black kids.
“Whites, being the dominant group in the society, have
access to all means toward achieving desirable valuables
defined by the society,” Dr. Harry Edwards wrote. “Black
[people], on the other hand, are channeled into one or two
endeavors open to them — sports, and to a lesser degree
— entertainment.”
Black athletes aren’t inherently athletically superior.
There are just little options for Black kids and that needs
to change.
Since 2008, the numbers have tightened, but the gap is
still there.
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