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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

positional segregation, sport, rugby, ethnicities

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Sociology

Abstract

Modern scientists continue to argue over an issue that has existed since the first time a person realized that his or her skin was a slightly different shade or tint than someone else’s: Does skin color serve as an indicator for something deeper? The conversation about racial stereotypes has changed over time, shifting away from the possible truths behind them towards the social reality created by those who continue to believe in. Racial stereotypes have become an unconscious part of the metanarrative of modern society; almost anyone can list them. Those of African descent are considered to have a lower intellectual status than those of European descent (Smedley and Smedley 2005). Blacks are more physically gifted, especially in activities requiring pure speed or brute strength (Kane 1971). Something that many studies have found as stubbornly persistent as racism is the negative impact it has (Smedley and Smedley 2005; Hwag and Goto 2008). These persistent findings, among other factors, have made racism taboo in most modern cultures. People are willing to go to great lengths to hide or explain away their belief in racial stereotypes. One of the few places left in society where racism can be easily evaluated is sports.

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