White Basketball Teams example essay topic

Early segregation of basketball was the beginning of a large impact on the game in later years. In sports, discrimination against those of color will always be an everlasting presence. The fight against racism goes back into the years past slavery. During that time, it was mainly white people versus black people. Today, in this multicultural society there are many minority groups feeling the squeeze of being born "non-white". However, there is little that can be done to change this frame of mind that is symbolic of society as a whole.

In basketball history, African American med could learn basketball as adolescents and play in leagues through high school and college. It is obvious that there is a massive amount of talent in African Americans who play basketball at levels ranging from junior high schools all the way up to the pros. Because of the amount of athletes who dreamt of fame and at the same time had an enormous love for the game, programs were created to help them. Sports have always been an arena for criticism, hatred, and discrimination of certain groups or individuals.

Along with the racism in sports come the stereotypes. For example, the notion that black athletes are the most talented at basketball because they can all jump very high. The argument that black people are the best basketball players is very strong for many reasons. Almost eighty percent of the athletes in the NBA are of African American descent. Arguably, the greatest player in the history of the game, Michael Jordan, is a black person. At first, whites dominated basketball because blacks were not allowed to play the game.

Out of many varsity level basketball teams, only a handful of blacks played. Slowly, black athletes were allowed to play on previously all-white basketball teams. Because so many racist stereotypes were created in the history of the game, one can't help but keep those stereotypes in the back of his or her mind while watching a game of basketball today. In actuality, racism and other forms of discrimination in sports will forever be a reality. African American men could learn basketball as adolescents and play in leagues through high school and college. Blacks were not allowed to play on teams with whites but they could compete against them.

African American club teams began to dramatically alter the game. Basketball in the cities became a game of innovation and style. Some of the earliest all-black club teams, such as the Smart Set Athletic Club of Brooklyn, New York, the St. Christopher's Club of New Jersey, and the Loe ndi Club from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, dazzled their crowds. With their amazing amounts of talent and love for the game, these athletes brought the game of basketball to new heights for the African American population. Through their being able to play basketball in high school and college, a few African American man could look forward to a professional career.

Inner conference leagues created intense competition between all-black and all-white teams, and the stakes often went beyond numbers that were in the win-loss column. For instance, in 1951, the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, was immersed in a semifinal high school game between the all-white Anderson Indians and the all-black Crispus Attucks Tigers. Anderson was the city favorite, and the school hoped to win its fourth state title. However, the Tigers forced the game down to the wire, and a last minute by Bailey "Flap" Robertson brought the Anderson Indians to their knees and the black community in Indy to their feet. This victory over the Anderson Indians showed much more about basketball than the final score of 81-80. The game was a symbolic one between blacks and whites, constituting a small part of the larger Civil Rights Movement that was happening throughout the United States in the 1950's.

This integrated competition displayed the beauty and creativity of African American athleticism and inspired the NBA to admit black athletes. The creation of early black college programs helped stop segregation in sports and promote African American athletes. After being exposed to the game during a summer at Harvard University, coach Edwin B. Henderson introduced basketball to a physical education class at Howard University in Washington D.C., in 1905. By 1910, basketball was one of the most popular sports for young African Americans. The game could be played on almost any surface, and it required little or no equipment. Basketball was promoted largely in YMCA's located in black neighborhoods, and basketball courts were soon constructed outdoors, in parks, and on playgrounds.

By 1915, African Americans played basketball on college and university teams, in high school phys. ed. classes, and on club teams representing major urban cities. In 1916, the all-black Central Interscholastic Athletic Association was formed. This association united the universities of Virginia Union, Shaw University, Lincoln, and Howard in competition. Four years later the all-black Southeastern Athletic Conference was established, and by 1928 there were four all-black regional conferences. Basketball has come a very long way since its early years.

Without the major efforts that were contributed in the 20th century, we wouldn't be where we are today in American organized sports. The different steps that have been taken over the years have led up to the beliefs that many fans have today. All of the different types of segregation that have taken place in the past have created an impact on the social aspect of basketball in America. Because of the beliefs that were created throughout the years of segregation, many people's minds have been set to believing what they " ve been told about African Americans as athletes.

Blacks couldn't play on teams with whites but they were allowed to compete with them. By at least letting African Americans play against whites, hope was given for the intervention of blacks into the game of basketball in later years..