For some people, coming from low-income neighborhoods and some "at risk" schools, being able to play sports and being good in sports can be a major boost in society and overall life. Coming from low-income and "at risk" school, which will be non-existent in June, I saw first hand athletes trying to get scouted to be able to go to college. I've seen parents upset when their player is not performing because they know that more than a game this can be their chance to get out of the "hood".
The movie "The Blind Side" is about one of those rare one-in-a-million cases of a privileged family taking in a struggling African America boy into their home. This kid goes from long walks to wash his clothes to having his own room to Ole Miss. Up till now, I have never met anyone with a story like that, but I have seen athletes get their dreams crushed when they are not recruited and are unable to go to college.
I think that Hollywood plays into and reinforces the stereotypes of different races, especially in sports. Anywhere from dance movies to football movies, there is always at least one African American present that is displaying how good they are at their practiced sport. The idea of stacking does not fall far behind because the set up is putting certain races and groups into certain sports because it is believed they will perform better into those groups. I cannot say I agree with this but nor that I disagree because I have seen some athletes with "natural talent" and I have seen athletes who cannot play and then after practice they do amazing work.
I agree that Hollywood does play into the stereotypical roles of African American athletes and highlights a particular skill they have learned. In one way I can see it be damaging as it gives the message that African Americans can only be good at sports, but it also exposes a mostly true idea which is African Americans using sport to reach success. So I agree that it can go either way.
ReplyDeleteAustin Cannell