Sport Taboo
Vignir
Amanda Kaufman
English Composition 1020
12.01.12
Sport Taboo: Society should not hide from the truth but embrace it
The sport taboo of why black athletes are better than white athletes in some sports is a subject that many people believe is fueled by racism; however, many scientists and researchers would argue this statement. Scientists and researchers would argue “There is a difference between describing different heritable differences, or different phenotypic or body-type differences, and attributing it to race or some kind of racial determinism” (Jones). Researchers and scientists separate these two entities, so why cant society? The question that society cannot ignore is why black athletes are better than white athletes in sports such as track, basketball, and football. It is fair to question as some sports, such as the 100metre sprint, are so heavily dominated by black athletes that it is a fact that is hard to ignore. Society needs to become more knowledgeable about the facts involved within this sport taboo of black athlete domination so that they can make more intelligent judgments on the subject. Through knowledge society can get rid of stereotypes and common beliefs and embrace the differences that exist amongst human genetics and physical attributions.
Ancestry and the home country that the athlete is from can play a major part toward any athlete’s success. It is quite clear from overwhelming results and evidence that Africans dominate the sport of running. Most black athletes who can trace their ancestry back to West Africa “hold more than 95% of the top times in sprinting” (Entine). Also, many athletes that are from the countries of Kenya and Ethiopia dominate the middle and long distance running races. Kenya is known as the powerhouse for long distance running because “70-80% of the winners of long distance races since the 1980’s have been from Kenya” (Why). There is evidence as to why the country of Kenya is such a formidable force.
Amanda Kaufman
English Composition 1020
12.01.12
Sport Taboo: Society should not hide from the truth but embrace it
The sport taboo of why black athletes are better than white athletes in some sports is a subject that many people believe is fueled by racism; however, many scientists and researchers would argue this statement. Scientists and researchers would argue “There is a difference between describing different heritable differences, or different phenotypic or body-type differences, and attributing it to race or some kind of racial determinism” (Jones). Researchers and scientists separate these two entities, so why cant society? The question that society cannot ignore is why black athletes are better than white athletes in sports such as track, basketball, and football. It is fair to question as some sports, such as the 100metre sprint, are so heavily dominated by black athletes that it is a fact that is hard to ignore. Society needs to become more knowledgeable about the facts involved within this sport taboo of black athlete domination so that they can make more intelligent judgments on the subject. Through knowledge society can get rid of stereotypes and common beliefs and embrace the differences that exist amongst human genetics and physical attributions.
Ancestry and the home country that the athlete is from can play a major part toward any athlete’s success. It is quite clear from overwhelming results and evidence that Africans dominate the sport of running. Most black athletes who can trace their ancestry back to West Africa “hold more than 95% of the top times in sprinting” (Entine). Also, many athletes that are from the countries of Kenya and Ethiopia dominate the middle and long distance running races. Kenya is known as the powerhouse for long distance running because “70-80% of the winners of long distance races since the 1980’s have been from Kenya” (Why). There is evidence as to why the country of Kenya is such a formidable force.
Cited: Entine, Jon. "The Story Behind the Amazing Success of Black Athletes, by Jon Entine."The Story Behind the Amazing Success of Black Athletes, by Jon Entine. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. <http://run-down.com/guests/je_black_athletes_p2.php>. "Why Kenyans Make Such Great Runners: A Story of Genes and Cultures." The Atlantic. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. <http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/04/why-kenyans-make-such-great-runners-a-story-of-genes-and-cultures/256015/>. "2012 Summer Olympics in London:Â Why Do Black Athletes Dominate in Sprinting and Long-distance Running, While White Athletes Dominate in Swimming?" Quora. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. <http://www.quora.com/2012-Summer-Olympics-in-London/Why-do-black-athletes-dominate-in-sprinting-and-long-distance-running-while-white-athletes-dominate-in-swimming>. "Wikibin - The Recycle Bin of Wikipedia." Race and Sport. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://wikibin.org/articles/race-and-sport.html>.