Self-Presentation and Black Male College Athletes at Historically White Institutions

Abstract

Black male college athletes (BMCAs) are in a unique position within the contexts of historically white institutions and Division I college athletics. Recently, BMCAs have increasingly presented themselves in ways that highlight specific social identities or even in opposition to the college athletic system and higher education environment. However, little has changed as power and privilege remain central forces in white-dominated settings. This constructivist grounded theory study examines how historically white institution and Division I athletic environments influence self-presentation of BMCAs through a Black critical theory lens. The experiences of 16 BMCAs illuminated how self-presentation was influenced by academic and athletic settings, Division I subdivision characteristics, and sport-specific contexts. I conclude with recommendations and directions for future research.

The Switch Up: BlackCrit, The Heritage, and the Wave of Athletic Racial Capitalism

“…Contemporary sport scholars have largely utilized critical race theory (CRT) for analyses related to the interrogation of Black athletes and ongoing battles for equality, equity, and legitimacy (see Edwards, 2017;B. J. Hawkins et al, 2016;Oshiro et al, 2021;Rhoden, 2006;Singer, 2005), but few (see Foster et al, 2023;Howe, 2023) have extended the analysis using Black Critical Theory (BlackCrit) as the method of analysis in relation to athletes. Although this hyper-reliance on CRT can be explained in a myriad of ways, there still exists a need to understand the experiences of Black athletes from the standpoint of the Black body-as opposed to the structures and systems that have been created to "control" the Black body.…”

“…Like CRT, BlackCrit does not include a specific fixedness to “tenets.” Instead, BlackCrit scholars work to leave space for expansion, scholarship, and collective deliberation (Dumas & Ross, 2016). In the theorization of BlackCrit , Dumas and Ross (2016) outline three framing ideas (instead of tenets) (Howe, 2023) that include (a) anti-Blackness is endemic and central to the creation of social, political, cultural, and economic spheres; (b) Blackness exists in tension with the neoliberal-multicultural imagination; and (c) create space for Black liberatory fantasy and resist a revisionist history that supports White Supremacy and dominance (Dummas & Ross, 2016; Foster et al, 2023).…”

Through the Decades: Critical Race Theory and Pathways Forward in Sport Sociology Research

“…We advocate for sport practitioners to think about ways for theory to influence diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices/initiatives (among other avenues of influence). As we enter a new wave of racial consciousness (Howe, 2023), practitioners must not become complacent and allow the symbolic nature of many DEI initiatives (or statements) and DEI leaders (Keaton, 2022b;Kluch et al, 2023) to create a façade that appears to present system challenging solutions. As such, consistent reflection on CRT tenets should inform how the sport industry discusses racial equity and inclusion.…”