Privilege does not mean that you’ve never suffered discrimination or earned something through hard work. Privilege simply means that “there are some things in life you won’t have to think about because of who you are” (Franchesca Ramsey, Tips for Being an Ally).
In a publication titled “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”, Peggy McInstosh lists 50 examples of how white privilege has showed up in her life. Although her list published in 1989, it still rings true in sports today so we decided to compile our own list to help make it more visible for athletes, coaches, and anyone affiliate with sports.
I was taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems conferring dominance on my group.
– Peggy McIntosh
Here’s 15 examples of how white privilege shows up in sports.
1. I can arrange to play on a team entirely made up of players of my race.
2. I can arrange to be on a team or club with a coaching staff, athletic director or club director, recruiting coordinator, sports psychologist, physical therapist and/or team doctor entirely made up of people of my race.
3. As a spectator I can attend a competition, race or tournament and see people of my race widely represented.
4. I am never asked to speak on behalf of all the people of my racial group on my team or club.
5. I can easily find mentors and advisors of my race to give me advice about what college to attend, how to pursue a professional career after college or how to get a coaching job when I retire from playing.
6. I can be pretty sure that the referee officiating my next competition will be a person of my race.
7. At away matches or travel tournaments, I almost always share a room with all players of my race.
8. I can be late to a practice or team meeting without having my lateness reflect upon my race.
9. I can be aggressive and loud on the court or field without having my behavior, attitude or leadership style reflect upon my race.
10. I can speak to my teammates and coaches in the same language and dialect that I speak to my parents and siblings.
11. If I need a bandage during a competition; I can almost always easily find a “flesh” colored one that matches my skin tone in my team’s first aid kit.
12. If I get injured competing and require a doctor, I never worry about receiving discriminatory medical treatment based upon my race.
13. I never worry about being criticized or taunted for my hair style .
14. My speed and the height of my vertical jump is never attributed to my race instead of my work ethic.
15. I never worry about the safety of my brother, sister, father, mother, cousin or other family member returning home from one of my competition or tournaments as a result of their race.
White privilege in sports is a systemic disease. Our hope is that this list will encourage players, coaches, and athletic directors everywhere to pause and consider their own personal story around race and white privilege in sports to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for future generations.
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