American Studies ETDs

Harold Bailey

Publication Date

2-10-1976

Abstract

The black student athlete is one of the most widely criticized, misunderstood and exploited individuals in our society. As a black person who has played the role of a student athlete, a counselor, a graduate student, administrator, and educator at the University of New Mexico, I have had ample time and opportunity to analyze the effects of organized athletics on the black student athletes and other athletes. In my opinion, the black student athlete is considered by many to be the best athlete in the world, but the basis for this claim is strictly physical. The field of organized athletics, which is reflective of American society, has been permeated by racism from its inception to the present. The difference is that the present form of racism is more sophisticated. From the institution of slavery, to vocational education, to unequal educational opportunity, to exploitation for profit, the white ruling class has been successful in maintaining control of the lives and destiny of the black community, particularly, in the field of education. Educational institutions are guilty of exploitation of the black student athlete at the expense of his education, and in many cases, guilty of psychological genocide. The athletic boycott was initiated in response to the treatment received by one particular black student athlete but had as its ultimate intent the redress of racist treatment of black student athletes in all sports. A stand against such racism was made at the University of New Mexico in the Spring of 1974. Other major state universities around the country have exploited the athletic talent of its student athletes for the purpose of institutional profit and pride. The University of New Mexico is no different than any other institution which has the characteristics of profit making, racism and exploitation. This athletic boycott was the end result of many discouraging and frustrating attempts to communicate with the administration. One area of obvious focus in any discussion of the black student athlete must be the mass media. Many believe that racism does not exist in the area of mass communication. It is a proven fact that the black colleges suffer in many ways from lack of adequate news coverage of athletic events. On the other hand, the predominantly white educational institutions receive not only more than adequate publicity but reap monetary benefits from such television coverage. One must never forget that African people were brought to this country to serve as an effective labor force. This same concept can be applied to the relationship between the black student athlete and his role within organized athletics. There is no mistake about the psychological pressures placed upon the black student athlete in society and in our institutions of education. The black student athlete should be made aware of the sophisticated forces directed towards him for exploitation purposes by a profit-oriented society. A major purpose of this dissertation is to assist in educating the "black community" regarding the institutional and societal racism present today. The information contained in this text is not restricted to Blacks only. If constructive, positive and immediate change is to take place, the education of middle class white America and the white ruling class is necessary. Never before in American culture has there been more attention focused on organized athletics. My hope is that the negative dimensions of this phenomenon can be recognized along with the positive.

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

American Studies

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

American Studies

First Committee Member (Chair)

Joel M. Jones

Second Committee Member

Charles DeWayne Biebel

Third Committee Member

Ignacio Ruben Cordova

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