P23 Out of Bounds: How Black Males are Consistently Blackballed in Sports

We all love sports. We all know sports. More importantly, in order to succeed and win in sports, one must also know the rules. But do we all know ALL the rules of the game when it comes to black males? In this dynamic session, we start with the principle that sports provides an "equal" playing field, but yet, somehow someway, black male athletes often tend to receive different treatment than their white colleagues -- both on and off the court. We start by examining why sports hold such an important place in our culture and explore its mass market global appeal. With historical context as a backdrop, we then explore how race intersects with and affects mainstream portrayals of sports in America. After attending this session, audience members will be able to effectively screen out biases and stereotypes subtly conveyed within media. Attendees will also develop a heightened appreciation for the power that racial images in sport can generate nationally and internationally.