Modern Sportsmanship

Modern Sportsmanship

As kids, we are taught with the notion of showing great sportsmanship. I remembered in elementary school being punished for showing poor sportsmanship. However, today in the world of sports we see horrible sportsmanship. We are taught to treat everyone equally regardless of skin color, religion, gender, and etc. Unfortunately, in some sports we see the worst sportsmanship. For example, Thierry Henry, a soccer player, mentioned being attacked with racial slurs while playing soccer. Soccer fans brought bananas as they chanted monkey. Thierry Henry said that they treated him like crap which resulted in him leaving during a game.

In the book the Rethinking The Color Line, Gallagher stated “Sixty-two percent of whites think African-Americans do not work hard as whites” (Gallagher 313). Whites believe that African American athletes do not put enough effort as Whites. They have the stereotype that African Americans are linked to drugs and violence. Evidently, people who believe those stereotypes are ignorant. African Americans put enough effort and possibly even more. For instance, one of the greatest basketball players is African American. Michael Jordan was not born with the skills that he had. He had difficulty being on his High School basketball team. Afterwards, he devoted much of his time practicing and developing his skills. Years later, all his hard work paid off and now he is acknowledged as one of the greatest to play basketball. Richard Sherman is another example of breaking the African American stereotype.

According to an article in Huffington Post, it stated that “Sherman’s actions ignited a debate about whether Sherman is just some “thug” from Compton California” Richard Sherman was depicted as a thug because he went on a rant after winning a game. I believe the only reason why Richard Sherman was portrayed as a thug because of where he came from. Richard Sherman came from Compton California so he has the image of a hoodlum. Being an African American and coming from Compton, mysteriously means that he is a “thug”. Compton California does not have a good reputation. Furthermore, just because Richard Sherman is from Compton and let his emotions get the best of him is identified as a “thug”. However, Richard Sherman is far from a “thug”. Richard Sherman graduated from Stanford University and received his masters. Richard Sherman destroys the image that Whites have towards African American in Gallagher’s book. How is calling someone a “thug” illustrating good sportsmanship?

Another example of racism in sports is the Cleveland Indian Mascot. Based on yahoo sports, the Cleveland Indians’ Mascot is perceived by many as a "racially insensitive stereotype of Native Americans." Native Americans believe that the Cleveland Indians are making a fun of their culture. They do not feel comfortable of having a logo that misrepresents Native Americans. Native Americans have said that their families do not look like the logo that the Cleveland Indians have presented. Fans believe that the team should change their logo. They are being misrepresented by the team. Again, how is this good sportsmanship? I feel that teams should think about how this may affect some Native Americans. First and Foremost, their team name is Cleveland Indians. Some believe that the team is representing Native Americans. Having an image that mocks the Native American culture will upset people.    

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dexter-rogers/richard-sherman-thug_b_4705030.html

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/big-league-stew/indians-fans-start-movement-remove-chief-wahoo-logo-021916323--mlb.html