The Strange Career of the Black Athlete: African Americans and Sports

Few realize that some sports were integrated, or even dominated by blacks, before becoming dominated by whites, for example, horse racing, golf, hockey, and tennis. This book provides a lens through which to view the historical context and specific circumstances of African Americans' presence in various sports. The author asks why sport has at times challenged the status quo with regard to race and civil rights, and at other times reinforced it. To that end, he analyzes various sports and asks why and when has each sport responded differently.

Wigginton asks how did blacks break the color barrier? Were they able to maintain representation in the particular sport? And did the entrance of blacks in these sports change the public's perception of the sport? The answers to these questions shed light on why America remains preoccupied with sports, race, and the seemingly integral relationship between the two.

Author: Russell Wigginton
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 06/30/2006
Pages: 144
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 9.58h x 6.48w x 0.73d
ISBN: 9780275982232

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 10/15/2006 pg. 68
Reference and Research Bk News 11/01/2006 pg. 92

About the Author

Russell T. Wigginton is Vice-President for College Relations and former Assistant Professor of History, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tenn.