Fighting Stereotypes in Sports

Gr 6 Up—The complex interplay between race and sports is adeptly explored in this thought-provoking series. Fighting Stereotypes in Sports sets an excellent backdrop for the rest of the series. Even as many amateur and professional sports have gotten increasingly diverse, white men continue to dominate most managerial, coaching, journalism, and commentating jobs. The systemic factors of this are explored in both Race and Sports Management and Race in Sports Media Coverage. While all of the titles are excellent, well-researched reads, Politics and Protest in Sports is particularly relevant as it details reactions to iconic events like Tommie Smith and John Carlos's display of the Black Power salute on the winner's stand at the 1968 Olympics and Colin Kaepernick taking a knee to peacefully protest police brutality. With socially conscious athletes making headlines every year, this series will provide excellent research fodder for those opinion papers.