Biracial Athletes

As we have discussed racism and white privilege are still apparent in sport. There are many studies and articles about how African Americans are treated and how they feel about this. One area I would like to bring up is a biracial individual. As we previously discussed this larger topic in class it made me think about those individuals that do not identify with just one race. Most of my ideas were focused around people who are half African American and half Caucasian. I myself am one of these individuals. This issue makes me wonder where biracial individuals stand when it comes to sport. When discussing white privilege and racism which side do they tend to be put on, or is there a separate “category”. With these individuals I believe where and how they grow up influences how they identify themselves as well as society identifies them. It was never questioned of whether or not I would go to college, it was expected. My mother is Caucasian and also a teacher so I believe that people identified me as Caucasian also but if you were to ask me I identify my self as being African American. Some other biracial students that I knew were always asked if they were going to college and pushed into sports to get scholarships because it was thought that that was the only way they would go to college. I would like to see more research on biracial individuals in the sporting industry and see how or if it differs from the research on African Americans.

J M

KIN577