On the Moral Economy of Racism and Racist Rationalizations in Sport

Abstract

This article draws on and extends a series of empirical studies into the nature and extent of racism in selected sports and philosophical explorations of certain virtues and vices in sports more generally. In particular, the article explores dispassionately questions of responsibility and culpability for both committed and unacknowledged racism in sports, and critically evaluates sportspersons’ attempts to rationalize it. We argue that it is necessary to examine: some of the underpinning ‘logic’ of empirical and conceptual research; certain unchallenged assumptions about the moral repugnance of racism; and certain undifferentiated moral responses to racisms of lesser and greater viciousness. The aim of this article, then, is to offer a clearer conceptual schema for evaluating beliefs and behaviour in this highly charged arena. We examine critically certain definitions of racism, and evaluate the ethical standing of a range of actions and practices that characteristically fall under the labels ‘racist’ and ‘racism’.

‘Race’ talk! Tensions and contradictions in sport and PE

“…It is clear from the most cursory interest in sport, PE and society that the lived reality is quite different and ambiguous (Spracklen 2008;Hylton 2009Hylton , 2013Fitzpatrick 2013;McDonald 2013 wide; yet from research into racism in sport the public awareness of these issues is widespread, where many know that racism takes place, though it is always 'over there' (Hylton, 2009;Long & McNamee, 2004). For many this racism is part of the game and something that enables an advantage to be stolen.…”

“…However, uncritical 'race' talk is underpinned by ideologies of racial disparities, superiority and inferiority that are regularly manifest in sport and PE play and curricula (Long and McNamee 2004;Spracklen 2008;Douglas and Halas 2013).…”

From racial exclusions to new inclusions: Black and minority ethnic participation in football clubs in the East Midlands of England

“…Whilst the perception of racism on the part of those who witness or experience it as such is not a necessary of sufficient condition of its existence, it is important to locate the interpretation of its meaning within the contextual layers and local settings in which these racialized actions are performed and acted out (Long and McNamee, 2004). In this respect, the behaviours referred to above can be read as a distinctly situated and consciously strategic response by White players designed to offend liberal sensibilities and to be symbolically oppositional to ideas of 'progressive' multicultural Leicester as embodied within the dominant demographic make-up and identities of BME clubs.…”

How a turn to critical race theory can contribute to our understanding of ‘race’, racism and anti-racism in sport

“…Neither can a consideration of racist acts be reduced to the overt and explicit as opposed to the covert often-institutionalized discursive practices that constitute racialised processes that regularly lead to undocumented racist exclusions or disadvantages. Consequently, by drawing on the work of Blum (2002), Long and McNamee (2004) reflect a view of racism and racist rationalisation that is important but not yet complete (see fig 1). It is incomplete because they need to revise these propositions: 1) That they are justified in choosing to view racism only from the point of view of individual agency.…”

“…This draws on the work of authors who have explored the nature and severity of racist acts from differing perspectives. Long and McNamee's (2004) attempts to rationalise racism from the level of the individual draws out salient points for the need for a broader understanding of 'race' and everyday racism in the pursuit of antiracism in sport. Their argument presents further support to Omi and Winant's (2002: 137) view that any abstract conceptualisation of racism is severely put to the test by the untidy world of reality.…”