Reading both of the previous articles about race (Cashman, 2008) and hip hop culture (Andrews, 1999) surrounding the NBA have been very interesting reads. Campbell made a good point when stating that it is normal for Drake to host and can be seen on the sidelines at an NBA game and not at a NFL game. I had never thought of hip hop and basketball going hand in hand until we discussed it in class and I read the article.
Cashman and his article about Tiger Woods was also very interesting. It shows the vast differences of how people portrayed him prior to the domestic violence incident and the cheating scandals. I believe that Woods was trying to relate to America as a whole when he says he is an "American not African American". As a popular icon in America he was seen almost in the same light as Michael Jordan. These two men overcame racial barriers and became sport ideals in a very public stage. While on this public stage they became very private. Not trying to cause rifts in the media especially about race.
In light of recent decisions in the Fergeson case race is a hot topic in the United States. The two articles show how sport and race are intertwined. It is a sensitive barrier that needs to be addressed carefully. I think a newer article surrounding race and sport would be very interesting. Looking at Tiger now and how the public veiws him would be extremely interesting. I wonder if, since his scandal, people would say worse things about him in a racial context. I think a textual analysis surrounding Tiger, post scandal would be very beneficial.
Brittany Sinclair
ReplyDeleteI also think that sport and race are significantly intertwined. The topic of race often arises in conversations of sport. Race is indeed a sensitive topic to address but I also think that much progress has been made of the past decades in regard to sport and race. The two historic icons in sport addressed above, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods have broken so many racial barriers and stereotypes when it comes to race and sport. I think these two athlete and even athletes in other sports such as Jackie Robinson have paved a huge way for those of color in sports. More respect is given and black athletes have a huge fan base. Although racism does still exist in sports, especially soccer, I don't hunk it is nearly as abundant as it once was and its because of great athletes like these who gave people no choice but to love them.
With all the scandals surrounding tiger woods, I think that when it comes to the sport of golf, and strictly golf, he is still a historic icon and his talents will not go unknown because of his personal life. As time goes on, I think his scandal will always be associated with his name, but overall I think his blessing for the sport of golf will overtake that all.
Maddy,
ReplyDeleteI liked the point you raised off of Cashmore’s (2008) article pertaining to Tiger’s portrayal in the media. Tiger’s portrayal in the media went from extremely positive to negative once the sequence of events occurred, and like you said, it made him “American” not “’African’-American.” Tiger was now shown as human.
You compared Tiger to Jordan in terms of race, but I believe they are only similar in terms of the racial barriers they broke in their sport. Jordan had things in his personal life that could have tainted his image, but the media was on Jordan’s side. Tiger, on the other hand, did not have the support of the media. You could say that he did, however, have the support of his endorsements, because Nike published commercials that could potentially help restore his image. Tiger’s first interview after the events could be viewed as the media helping restore his image, but the damage had already been done by the media in the beginning. Tiger’s image hasn't been completely tainted as of now, because of the number of golf fans that still love to watch Tiger.
I, too, wonder if race has played a role in how Tiger was viewed during the sequence of events. I personally have never heard of a comment before in regards of his race playing a role in the events, but that doesn't necessarily mean there haven’t been articles that say otherwise.