Since the beginning of the NBA in 1946, only 10 Asians have played in the league. Tonight, a young Asian boy is staying out after curfew practicing basketball knowing that his chances remain slim for a future in the NBA because he knows that in the past 60 years, only one Asian American has made it to the NBA. Today in the National Basketball Association, Jeremy Lin is the only player who holds the nationality of Asian American. As the only Asian in the league, Lin is solely responsible for the way Asians are thought of in relation to basketball, which makes the media and fans prone to making generalizations about all Asians. These generalizations lead to stereotypical and offensive remarks being made about Jeremy Lin and his race with no hesitation. Though overt racism in the NBA has waned since the middle of the 20th century, Asian players still face challenges due to stereotypes; thus, the NBA needs to raise awareness about racial issues that still remain, especially for Asian players, so that all team members feel included and have the same opportunities to succeed.
Originally the NBA was meant to only include White players, but with persistence, African Americans were eventually admitted into the league. When the NBA allowed African Americans into the league, the nation was finally exposed to the high level of performance they brought forth. Since then, the NBA has never looked back and African Americans continue to dominate the league. If Asians were given the same opportunity, they also would achieve success. In the history of the NBA, there have been over 3,000 players (ESPN.com). Out of all of those players, only 10 have been Asian. If Asians were given an equal opportunity to succeed, they would we able to, but because ...
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Walter LeFeber's book serves as a cornerstone of reference for its content as it relates to race, black business and the expansion of global capitalism since the late 20th century. With regard to race, it shows how race effected middle-class Michael Jordan at a young age and how he grew in the star he became, yet still could not es...
“We are more visible, but not more valuable”. This famous quote was said by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the most famous black basketball players, symbolized what many black athletes were pursuing when they first got into sports. In today’s world not only are black athletes a part of our sports venue, they are dominating the landscape of some sports such as the NBA which consists of a whopping 80% black athletes. Black athletes continue to revitalize sports in America as some athletes became the face of their sports such as Muhammad Ali in boxing, Jackie Robinson in baseball and Michael Jordan in basketball. Sports came as a form of entertainment for many Americans, but for black athletes it came as a pathway to express who they were and what they believed in. The more they became involved in sports, the more media they were able to attract which enabled them to talk about topics other than sports such as racism, their religions and equality through the civil rights movement. These views and statements made in their interviews and press conferences were the ones that became publicized and more popular amongst the typical white men in America and it played a huge role in changing the way blacks were viewed in American society.
Like Robinson, these men paved the way for today’s players and are the reason that the best athletes in the world now play in the NBA.” (Dave Howell, NBA.com, Six Who Paved The Way, Page 1). African-Americans in basketball, more specifically the first 5 players, began to make people realize that African Americans were not foreign creatures, they were actual people. People also began to realize that African Americans make equally as significant contributions to the society and community as anyone else
In today’s world, the American still has barriers to overcome in the matter of racial equality. Whether it is being passed over for a promotion at the job or being underpaid, some people have to deal with unfair practice that would prevent someone of color or the opposite sex from having equal opportunity at the job. In 2004, Dukes vs. Wal-Mart Stores Incorporation was a civil rights class-action suite that ruled in favor of the women who worked and did not received promotions, pay and certain job assignments. This proves that some corporations ignore the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which protects workers from discrimination based on sex, race, religion or national origin.
One social problem that has caught my attention is racial inequality. Racial inequality refers to the racial advantages and disadvantages among different races. These might be shown in the appropriation of riches, influence, and life openings stood with individuals in view of their race or ethnicity, both noteworthy and cutting edge. These can be viewed therefore of noteworthy abuse, imbalance of legacy, or general partiality, particularly against minority bunches. Race inequality is not a new issue, just an issue that has been swept under the rug. It was more of a problem during and after segregation, but is reportedly no longer exist.
Asian Americans must go above and beyond what is expected in the industry, compared to white and black Americans who seem to have it much easier. “Always, it is the Asian who assimilates, who must explain his or her presence and professionalism, who must earn the right to exist and speak, who must prove his or her authority and credibility” (Agtarap, 1994, p.267).... ... middle of paper ... ... Retrieved December 9, 2004 from http://www.cds http://sree.net/quotes/chron2.html Portrayal of race, ethnicity and nationality in televised international athletic events.
As a second generation Asian American, I have not experienced much discrimination, since I have grown up surrounded by the American language and culture. However, after reading Strangers from a Different Shore, I realized that Asian Americans today are experiencing a new type of prejudice: “The Myth of the ‘Model Minority’” (474).` This stems from Asians’ success in school and in their jobs. The stereotypical idea of “Asian parents” also contributes to this misconception. The media helped spread the idea of this “super minority.” The New Republic praised the “Triumph of Asian-Americans” as “America’s greatest success story,” and CBS’s 60 Minutes presented a glowing report on Asian’s achievements in academics (475). This misconception leads many teachers and employers to assume that all Asians are intelligent beings and little powerhouses of work.
Wiggins, David Kenneth, and Patrick B. Miller. 2003. The unlevel playing field: a documentary history of the African American experience in sport. Urbana: University of Illinois Press
Jackie Robinson was a prominent figure in American history as he broke the color line, and was the first black athlete to play in a white league. Americans believed this would stop racism in the future and integrate all sports, but racism has planted its roots in sports ever since 1947. The NBA is a professional basketball league and has been very popular in the United States since its creation. The sport is enjoyed by all races although most of the players are of African American race. During recent events, L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling was caught making racist remarks in an audio recording. He was frustrated that his girlfriend was hanging with other African Americans, even the great NBA legend Magic Johnson. He wanted her not to bring African Americans to his games and not to broadcast it on Instagram. He stated, " Yeah, it bothers me a lot that you want to promo-broadcast that you're associating with black people. Do you have to (Sterling)?" He also complained, " But why publicize it on the Instagram and why bring it to my games (Sterling)?" After the release of the recordings, the NBA community was in an uproar. In protest, the player of the Clippers wore their training jerseys inside out (Moore). As a result, Adam Silver , commissioner of the NBA, banned Donald Sterling for life. Sterling could not attend nor part...
Basketball has had a large impact in the society. In the NBA, the teams bring out nationalism within their city. Various cities have a National basketball team representing them in the NBA. This in turn brings out a healthy competition that paves the way to socialization, support, and unity among individuals. NBA players can have a positive impact on individuals as well as an entire nation. ESPN deemed Jeremy Lin, an NBA player, to have the ability to expand basketball largely in China.
A social inequality that I would say I’m concerned with would be, racial and ethnic inequality. Racial or ethnic inequality is often established based on characteristics such as skin color and other physical characteristics, or a person’s place of origin or culture. Another meaning of racial inequality would be the advantages and disadvantages that affect different races within the Unites States. Race has become a socially constructed category capable of restricting or enabling social status. Racial inequality can lead to diminished opportunities, which can also lead to cycles of poverty and political problems. With this minority members in a society can result in discriminating actions such as; exclusion, oppression, expulsion, and extermination.
His contributions to the NBA and the Asian American community might never be matched. Asian Americans know how it feels to be at the bottom of the totem pole and the topic of jokes and stereotypes. They have succeeded in many areas, but sports are not one of them. So, when the rare time comes and a star Asian American sports figure emerges, they tend to latch on and rally around these athletes. This can be seen through the likes of Tiger Woods and Yao Ming. However, no athlete of any race or social class has ever seen the support that Jeremy Lin has. People have looked up to him as a hero or savior for Asians living in America. Phil Yu, the founder of a popular Internet blog called Angry Asian Man, put the “Linsanity” into perspective when he was quoted stating, “Asian-Americans are still seen as foreigners in this country, seeing Jeremy Lin accepted and celebrated in this American sport, it makes us more American, and it makes other people see us as more American." This quote does a great job of showing the real value that Jeremy Lin holds as a true icon in the Asian American community. They rallied around him as a symbol of hope and perseverance. To show just how valued Jeremy Lin is to his fan base, one could look at his game against the Raptors in the middle of Linsanity as a prime example. In this game, Jeremy hit a last second three pointer to seal the victory for the New York Knicks. The
In a society filled with people that strongly believe that sports is an industry that is removed and immune from the ills of the world—racism. Many fans and spectators of sports, such as baseball, basketball, football, and many other sports that include players of different races and ethnicities considers that racism is a thing of the past because of the inclusion and acceptance of all races in different sports. However, the misconception of living in a post-racial (colorblind) world is prevalent. Even though racial discrimination in sports and society in general, are not overt as in the past, racism continues to plague the industry. Regardless of fans and spectators wanting to ignore the racial biases and discrimination in the sports industry,
Whitaker, Matthew C.. African American icons of sport: triumph, courage, and excellence. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2008.
Throughout history, it is easy to recognize how African Americans have triumphed in sports. It is also enlightening and empowering to see and recognize the challenges that women faced in the past with achieving recognition in sports as compared to that of men.