POLITICAL issue- Celebrity Activism Flashcards
How did 9/11 affect moments of athlete activism?
The reality of post 9/11 and within the Cold War- discussions of American military LEGITIMISE military expansion.
What were some characteristics of US National identity post 9/11?
- US on the ‘right side of morality’
- Redefining who is friend and who is foe
- Redefining citizenship through loyalty to the nation-an emphasis on norms and white masculinity.
= perpetuates military intervention, normalises the military and military logic in everyday life and in sport
How does 9/11 and the military relate to athlete activism?
Started to question is this military action too much? How far can it go?
Began to speak out against military action
The roles that celebrities play in our culture- a role in the development of national identity, some political endorsements.
Define ‘Celebrity’?
A significant public entity who’s image structures meaning, solidifies ideologies and prioritises a framework individuals negotiate in everyday life (Marshall, 1997)
What concepts are closely tied to an athlete celebrity?
- They produce/ operate in sites of meaning making
- They are the embodiment of Neo-liberal democracy and consumer capitalism
- Both PRODUCED and CONSUMED
- Over saturation- a sense of visual intimacy- feel like you know them.
How do sports stars differ from other celebrities? (Andrews and Jackson, 2011)
The myth of sports as being meritocratic- may end up like them.
They are real individuals competing/ participating in non-scripted competitions= more authentic.
Reduced to individual qualities- strong, athletic, powerful.
However, Coakley’s great sport Myth says what?
(Coakley, 2015)
The myth that sports are open and meritocratic
Participation promotes physical health, mental health, social integration, motivated youth and a GOOD CHARACTER.
What does the Great Sport Myth (Coakley) suggest about celebrity athletes?
They should be role models, yet they are constructed in an inherently political space.
The political usage of athletes- Michael B Jordan- crafted in the media devoid of any black characteristics. A crafted persona.
How might the more direct insertion of athletes voices disrupt sporting hegemonies?
Through athlete activism and through the differing ideas and views on prevailing notions.
Define ‘Athlete Activism’?
‘Engagement in intentional actions that disrupt oppressive hegemonic systems, by challenging a clearly defined opposition and simultaneously empowering individuals’
(Cooper et al, 2019, p. 155)
How does athlete activism work?
- A clear opposition
- Disruption of structures, norms and mental processes
- Specific goals and objectives to assess progress
- Connection to broader social justice movements
What are the four waves of black athlete activism?
First wave- 1990-1945- Gaining legitimacy- assimilation into a wider community
Second wave- 1946-1960’s- Acquiring political access and positional diversity- access to institutions.
Third wave- 1960-1970’s- demanding respect in social places, raising socio-political consciousness.
(1970’s-2005)- stagnation
Fourth wave- 2005-present- SECURING and transferring power via economic and technological capital.
The use of SOCIAL MEDIA and economic power
(EG: Lebron James building inner city schools)
What does a Black feminist look at athlete activism show?
(Brown, 2023)
Women of the WNBA- issues of racism and gender
Maya Moore and Natasha Cloud- took a year out to work on social injustice cases.
Why are Black, female athletes using activism so important?
“Sport, and especially US sport in a post 9/11 era demands demands respect for and adherence to institutions of authority, especially masculine institutions”
(Chaplin & Montez de Oca, 2019, p. 4)
Black athletes who speak out represent a a Black body that is not subservient. Hence, Black women who speak out are a threat to both racial and gendered hierarchies.
Bring this topic all together:
Celebrities saturate our current culture- Representations of ideals, norms, values, broader issues of identity (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, nation, class, etc.)
Celebrities and sporting celebrities are often used for political ends
We might not always recognise this
Activism within sport can be rendered through sporting celebrities= a central piece of the heritage of Black athletes in US.
