Black and Asian Athletes in British Sport and Society : A Sporting Chance?

In this innovative study, Patrick Ismond provides an analysis of the issue of racism within British sport. It presents a number of theoretical positions regarding race, racism and sport, before providing a background history of the involvement of minority ethnic communities. Much detailed primary research is used to inform interesting discussions concerning racism in sport and its relationship to ethnicity, identity and notions of Englishness and Britishness. The study also includes a valuable analysis of sexism in sport, and the discrimination suffered by minority ethnic sportswomen. In Black And Asian Athletes In British Sport And Society Patrick Ismond Begins By Exploring The Ways In Which A Resurgence Of Ideas About Genetics And Biology Has Helped To Sustain The Racialized Practices That Sometimes Show Themselves In Traditionally 'masculine' Sports. The Racism Experienced By Minority Ethnic Men In Sport Over The Last Century Is Related To Wider Social Events, Thereby Emphasizing How British Sport Has Acted As A Barometer For Tensions Over 'race' And National Identity. The Book Discusses How (if At All) The Interviewees Identified And Considered Racism In Sport In Relation To Ethnicity, Identity And Notions Of Englishness And Britishness. The Author Also Argues That The Place Of Minority Ethnic Women In British Sport Has Been Obscured. Detailed, Individual Accounts Of Their Sporting Experiences Highlight How The Significance Attached To Sport Varies According To The Interviewee's Background.--jacket. Introduction: A Sporting Chance? -- 'race' And Male Sport. Understanding 'race' And 'sport' -- British Minority Ethnic Groups, Sport And Society -- Sporting Beginnings -- Sport In The Later Years -- 'race' Gender And Sport. Women And Sport -- Interviews With Black And Asian Sportswomen. Patrick Ismond. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In Black and Asian Athletes in British Sport and Society Patrick Ismond begins by exploring the ways in which a resurgence of ideas about genetics and heredity has helped to sustain the radialised practices that sometimes show themselves in traditionally masculine sports. The racism experiences by minority ethnic athletes in sport over the last century is related to wider social events, thereby emphasising how British sport has acted as a barometer for tensions over race, and national identity. This book discusses how (if at all) the interviewees identify and consider racism in sport. This is discussed in relation to ethnicity, identity, and notions of Englishness and Britishness. It is argued that the place of minority ethnic women in British sport has been obscured. The detailed, individual accounts of their sporting experiences highlight how the significance attached to sport varies according to a person's biography