Interracial Relationships within Teammates in Sports - Essay Example

Interracial Relationships between Teammates in Sports Any arena in life requires co-operation from people around you. The immediate environment around a person is made up of these kind f relationships he or she shares with family, friends, peers, superiors, colleagues and others. In sports, this is of special importance owing to the fact that the play of teams is what makes or breaks a game. In this context, this paper deals with the interracial relationships between teammates in the arena of sports. As it is well known and proven through continuous research, there are various factors that create a nexus between teamwork and performance on the field. In the arena of sports, this is especially true and of especial importance. The various factors that form this list in the arena of teamwork and relationships on and off the field have been discussed in this paper so as to pose relevant questions regarding the quality of these relationships. To be more specific, this paper discusses the area of interracial relationships and the quality of the same within and outside the field. Sports To begin with, let us define sports. The term 'sports' signifies the act of playing a game according to rules so as to declare a winner and a loser. But the very concoction of word sport will demonstrate that no one really loses. The very fact that a person or a team has stood on the field and performed so as to uphold the game and its rules, is enough to make any person a winner for life. McConley, Pg 2 (2008) So in this regard, it may be seen that there are a variety of motivational factors that go into effective performance in sports. The various motivational factors have been enumerated as follows: Past and Present Accomplishments of the Individual The relationship that one has with team-mates Interracial Attitudes Athlete Identity Attitudes (Gatz et al, 2002) Premise for Motivation In context of the above mentioned factors and discussion of sports, it may be asserted that there is a strong play of motivation in the conduct of sports and that of sportsmen. The basic motivational factor that is being studied in this paper is a combination of all the factors discussed above with a focus on interracial relationships and how these affect the relationships shared within team-mates on the field and off of it. (Eig, 2007) The motivation based on racial factors mirrors the fact that there is a lot yet to be learnt in terms of the factors that actually shape the psyche of the sportsman and affect his performance in the process. It may also be noted that despite the progress made by the world in terms of phenomena like globalisation, there is still a lot left to achieve as far as one on one relationships between people of various races is concerned. This adheres to various spheres and not just sports. Since a sport is all about teamwork more than anything else, it is easy to see these flaws and take stock of the same. McConley, Pg 3 (2008) In this regard, the foremost question that needs to be asked is whether or not the motivational factors for team mates depends on the friendships and bonds formed on the basis of colour and race. For example, let us look at the case of Jackie Robinson. A baseball player par excellence, who played for the Dodgers starting with the Negro League Kansas City Monarchs in 145, he went on to lead the international batting average with .349 average. Yet, there was constant heckling that he had to face once he got down on the field. The person who stood up and supported him openly was Dodgers captain, Pee Wee Reese. Also, Robinson found strong support in the person who had faced similar discrimination - team mate and Jewish baseball star Hank Greenburg. (Eig, 2007) So the question that comes up here is whether or not like attracts like. Is this a case of the discriminated standing up for the discriminated, or a White person standing up for a minority no matter what. The question that needs to be asked is whether or not the recognition of talent should be the greatest motivation rather than the recognition of support that needs to be rendered in the face of discrimination. (Dungy et al, 2007) Athletic Identity One of the most important questions that need to be asked in the case of athletic identities is regarding the criteria that should be set for forming these identities. The posing of this question will help generate a response that will demonstrate the degree to which trace dominates the character and formation of athletic identity. Before moving onto the field of interracial relationships, it is important to understand and question the evolution of athletic identity. This question needs to be answered in context of teamwork and what McConley, Pg 4 (2008) kind of criteria it generates towards the formation of team spirit and individual athletic identities. So what is team work and how is it affected by race and interracial relationships between team mates (Dungy et al, 2007) The team and the field is one where a person practices his or her profession or basic occupation in life. This sphere may include one's superiors, subordinates, colleagues, business partners, employees, and even external parties like buyers, suppliers, creditors, bankers, share holders and many more. In the sports arena, it includes manages, team mates and rivals. The professional sphere of sports adheres to the environment within which a particular sport is conducted in tandem with various other people and rules. As can be seen in the case of Jackie Robinson, one of the first people who stood up for him in the face of racial discrimination was his manager Leo Durocher who said he did not care about the colour of the talented person. To a great degree, that put a rest to the air of aloofness that was around Robinson in his team. So a valid question here is whether a leader within the team can support or discourage or completely ignore such racial discrimination until it goes away. (Eig, 2007) The experts agree that experience along with physical ability are preferred over physical ability without substantial experience. Although this may not substitute hardcore theoretical learning on the field and off it, people with less experience are generally relegated to lower positions in their sports. The question that needs to be asked here is whether or not a person's race and his or her relationship with other team members on the basis of this factor is also an important factor along with physical ability and experience Therefore, irrespective of the list of favourable physical attributes one may have, one always has to start at the bottom of the ladder as far as professional experience is concerned. Another important question is - does this experience include having to deal with racial discrimination and gradually tip toeing your way around it to make it to the top of the team or the sport (Eig, 2007) Interracial Discrimination in Relationships between Team-mates Interracial relationships within teams in sports are hard to judge at first sight. The underlying dynamics that construct the co existence of various ethnicities within the same team, on and off it, are different. This has been studied in the paper titled, Team mates on and off the field Contact with Black team mates and the Racial attitudes of White student athletes. (Brown et al, 2003) According to the research done for this paper, the authors have constructed an inter group contact hypothesis, according to which the effect of contact between Black and White athletes was studied in order to judge the degree of racial discrimination. The research was based on various groups of athletes from the White and Black communities in the 1996 SAGE Survery. The following were the findings: (Brown et al, 2003) A Positive Relationship between the contact enjoyed by Black Athletes and policies that supported racial discrimination. This signified the fact that the more contact the White athletes enjoyed with the Black athletes, the more they were McConley, Pg 5 (2008) prone to affect and implement policy changes that went in favour of racial discrimination. The White students who participated in sports and who had higher number of Black team mates and school mates, often rooted for policy changes that would affect their Black counterparts favourably. This showed that there was a percentage of White students and athletes on campus who did not support racial discrimination as they knew their team mates on a more personal basis. Over a period of time, with more and more contact shared between Black and White athletes, there was a definite change in racial attitudes. (Brown et al, 2003) Therefore, there are several questions that can be asked in this case. To begin, is globalisation finally fulfilling its promise and bringing people closer together This may well be the case. Globalisation as a concept has helped put various theories regarding racial discrimination into practice - in the affirmative. This can be seen in the arena of sports where continuous and constant close contact within a team on the field and outside it, has helped team mates respect each other as individuals rather than symbols of a particular race. Globalisation and integration of interests go hand in hand. This is seen in sports more than anywhere else. Therefore, with the increased level of information that is being made available regarding various cultures and ethnicities and the increased rates of contact, is there is a new found respect for each other (Eig, 2007) Another relevant question that needs to be raised in context of the research put forth above is whether or not athletic identities need to be defined in context of one's team McConley, Pg 7 (2008) mates This is a relevant question in context of forming interracial relationships within the team is concerned. The answer to this question will help bind the teams in a common goal. That is meant to be the sole purpose of sport - not racial discrimination. (Gatz et al, 2002; Pp 160 - 165). According to Gatz et al, "whether by forging self identities as athletes; interacting with and working toward mutual goals with team mates of different racial and ethnic backgrounds; or competing against opponents, the athletic arena is one in which participating students come to develop normative attitudes, beliefs and behaviours in a wide range of social areas." (Gatz et al, 2002; Pp 159). These words help in defining what may be called the intersection of the racial and athletic identities. This concept is in keeping with the premise discussed above that increased contact between teammates will only strengthen the integration towards achieving goals as a team. Is this concept dominated by aggression The aggression that is demonstrated in denouncing a particular member of the team on the basis of race or ethnicity will be turned into aggression towards performance driven results on the field through maximum team effort. Is aggression a necessary evil in terms of racial discrimination, or in sports is it merely a factor that needs proper channelling for goal achievement on the field Is aggression meant to be a shared reaction towards goal achievement Aggression may also come as a reaction rather than an action. When faced with racial discrimination, a team mate may get aggressive. This generally takes away from the ethics and essence of McConley, Pg 8 (2008) the team, and not to mention the level of performance on the field. In this regard, a valid question involves creating a necessary rift between the theoretical implications of ethics and aggression - how can this be done Aggression must be countered by a diversion in terms of goal orientation so as to ensure that the aggression of both parties are integrated towards achieving a common goal. The question here remains, "who must make the first move" (Gatz et al, 2002; Pp 160 - 165). There have been varied instances of events where racial discrimination has marred a game and robbed a perfectly talented team of the ability to win it. This must be countered with a larger play of individual motivation that will shape the psyche of the players - the discriminator as well as the discriminated. (Dungy et al, 2007) Distinction on the basis of race should not be made at any level. Further, there is the play of affirmative action - is it acceptable or not This is an important and relevant question that has captured the collective imagination of various scholars and sport persons alike. Affirmative action is like barter system - you call yourself the under privileged and I will give you benefits. (Dungy et al, 2007) In the arena of sports, what must count more - the colour of your skin or your physical abilities Is it fair to give a Black athlete a chance just because you think no one else will, and in the process ignore an equally talented White athlete The policy changes of the recent past will suggest that this is not acceptable - off the field or on it. McConley, Pg 9 (2008) Conclusion The arena of sports will show that there has been a lot of progress in the recent part regarding interracial relationships between team mates, yet there is a lot left to be desired. While there have been numerous instances of racial discrimination on and off the field, it may be seen that performances have been affected by the same. There is a need to understand the nexus between performance and interracial relationship rather than mere policy changes and interracial relationships. So one of the most important question that needs to be raised is whether or not increased contact will benefit the motivation to form positive interracial relationships between team mates in sports (Eig, 2007) This is due to the fact that performance based on positive emotions is more likely to yield favourable results. This in itself is a favourable motivational factor for any individual in the arena of sports. Sports involve the use of a large amount of physical strength. Sometimes, this drains a person out and makes him or her emotionally aggressive. In order to tame this aggression and ensure that it is channelled in the right direction, there is a need to motivate the players with a focus on convincing them that just because they belong to different races, they are not different, nor are the enemies. (Dungy et al, 2007) The favourable channelling of aggression is an important factor that can make or break a game. This process is an integral part of motivation and of building interracial relationships between team members on a positive note. It may be seen here that the Black community the world over has achieved wonders in the arena of sports. McConley, Pg 10 (2008) There is no way for a White athlete to ignore them or discriminate against them and still do well. Therefore, a favourable balance is required. Sports authorities need to ask themselves various questions when it comes to passing legislations against racial discrimination. One of the most important is indirect abuse through the use and play of affirmative action - is it a necessary evil, or simply put, is it unnecessary (Eig, 2007) Policy changes should be implemented so as to tame racial aggression and to create more positive outputs more than anything else. This will have a positive effect on the overall health of team and the very ethics of sports will be catered to and preserved. Athletic identity must be honed on the basis of creating team spirit rather than warming individual egos. (Brown et al, 2003) Another valid question that needs to be asked in context of all the factors discussed within this paper is whether or not the arena of racial discrimination is discouraging participation in sports by minorities Is there a need to build greater motivation with the promise of positive interracial relationships within the teams so as to get better rates participation (Dungy et al, 2007) There are a variety of influences and motivational factors involved in performance in sports. So what needs to be seen in whether or not these influences spring from positive or negative interracial relationships. (Eig, 2007) As this paper has shown, there are a number of questions that need to be asked, answered and then implemented in various areas of team work and performance on the field. References 1. Gatz, M; Messner, M; Ball - Rokeach, S; (2002). Paradoxes of Youth and Sport. SUNY Press. (Pp 159 - 165) 2. Brown, Kendrick T; Brown, Tony N; Jackson, James S; Sellers, Robert M; Manuel, Warde J (2003) Teammates On and Off the Field Contact With Black Teammates and the Racial Attitudes of White Student Athletes Journal of Applied Social Psychology 33 (7) , 1379-1403 3. Eig, Jonathan. (2007) Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season. Simon and Schruster. 4. Dungy, Tony; Whitaker, Nathan; Washington, Denzel. (2007) Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices and Priorities of a Winning Life. Tyndale. Read More