"Darwin's Athletes": Sports & Ethnicity

Sport in African American Culture is highly significant.  The significance is clearly revealed in the movie "Hoop Dreams".  The movie follows two young African American boys aspiring to go professional in the realm of basketball.  These boys came from what the world sees as basically nothing and got scholarships to a high school for basketball.  Although these boys knew there was a 0.0005% chance of actually going pro, they still fought hard to achieve their dreams.  It's part of African American culture to work so hard so to be able to look back and see where it all started and look forward to the success.  

Hollywoods portrayal of African American athletes is very different from what is seen in this documentary.  For example, in the movie "Space Jam", Michael Jordan is seen as a very rich, successful athlete.  He's got a big house, a personal assistant, a family, children, and a dog.  It's the American dream, and an African American athlete is the one who is owning that dream.  This movie shows nothing about his journey to get where he is, only emphasizes his successes.  "Hoop Dreams" reveals real life struggles and longings to get to a desired position.  It reveals the racism and harsh economic struggles of families. 

 

url--photo of "Space Jam"

Sport could be seen as damaging the Black American and preserving the myth of race, but then again, so could anything else.  Nothing really has meaning unless it is given meaning.  This is a mindset for some Americans in the US today, it's up to you to not give it that meaning.  Sport offers amazing opportunities to all races, not just to African Americans and not just professional athletes.  

Gendered Advertising

http://xuth.net/blk/nike/

"My butt is big
and round like the letter C
and ten thousand lunges
have made it rounder
but not smaller
and that's just fine.
It's a space heater
for my side of the bed
it's my ambassador
to those who walk behind me
it's a border collie
that herds skinny women
away from the best deals
at clothing sales.
My butt is big
and that's just fine
and those who might scorn it
are invited to kiss it."

This nike advertisement has blatant gendered qualities.  It is a printed ad that is completely dedicated to the discourse of a woman's bottom.  A large bottom is desirable for more women of this generation.  If you want to be an attractive female, having a large toned bottom is one of the defining features.  This is mainly based off of the male gaze in society today.  Women are often objectified and they usually perpetuate their own objectification by viewing themselves and living in such a way that would potentially please a man.
Nike is using their advertisements to play into socially gendered norms in order to sell their products.  This ad is catering to women.  The message being sent is: "If you buy our products, you will have a toned butt" and subsequently "you will be noticed by men".
This advertisement and the message behind it is potentially very harmful for young people because it is teaching gender.  It is teaching that what it means to be a woman is to have a big butt and other beautiful features.  It emphasizes outward appearance and forces young women to abide by normalized qualifications.  (Not to mention the lesson's young men are receiving by the same commercial: a woman  will always cater to your pleasures).