In this article, Edwards explains why African American families may be inclined to push their kids in sports and not other areas. He attributes this to three major factors. 1) a widely accepted, racist belief, that African Americans are athletically superior, and academically inferior., 2) the way African Americans are portrayed in sports by the media, and 3) the lack of African American role models in other professions. African American participation in sports,is highlighted by the media in a very visible way, to the point where sport has become an acknowledged method for upward mobility.
As new regulations, such as proposition 48, come into play, Edwards points out the associated drop in African American participation. Attaching grade requirements to the pursuit of sports, has made the dream less attainable. With a lack of visible African American role models in other professions, many youths struggle to see a clear path for themselves. Edwards highlights how reinstating sports as an "attainable" means to move up in the world, would help keep youths off the streets through once again providing something constructive to aspire to.
Edwards, H. (2000). Crisis of Black Athletes on the Eve of the 21st Century. Society, 37(3), 9.
I think that it also has to do with the stereotypical threat that African American families have to face in the sports world. There should be a balance in life. Academics and athletics should equally be pushed and as a result, more opportunities!
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