Professor David Leonard of Washington State University has just come out with a book entitled PLAYING WHILE WHITE: PRIVILEGE AND POWER ON AND OFF THE FIELD. In different but related ways, race and sports are two of American's biggest obsessions. The two intersect frequently, because of the racial demographics of participation in various sports; the prevalent racial stereotypes surrounding athletic performance, mental abilities, and masculinity/femininity; the power dynamics involved in athletic competition on and off the field; and many other factors. Although sports can sometimes be a venue where racial divisions are transcended, they are equally or more often reflective of the racial hierarchies that pervade American society. Professor Leonard delves into the ubiquity of White privilege in the sports arena, showing how White athletes are often treated more favorably than Black athletes in similar situations. He uses examples from a variety of professional sports and critically examines the discourse on athletic competition, highlighting its subtle racial inequities.
