Summary

The article discusses the stereotype that black people are naturally gifted in sports, considering both genetic and environmental factors, and suggests that this stereotype, while based on observable patterns, should not be a source of shame but rather a recognition of resilience and excellence.

Abstract

The author reflects on a Korean reaction video about Michael Jordan that sparked a conversation about the prevalence of black athletes in sports like basketball and football. Some black commenters took offense to the stereotype perpetuated in the video, emphasizing the role of hard work over genetic predisposition. The article compares this to the "Asians are smart" stereotype and questions whether all stereotypes are inherently bad. It acknowledges environmental influences, such as the cost of sports and historical factors like slavery, which may have contributed to the athletic prowess of black individuals. The author argues that the success of black athletes in certain sports is undeniable and should be seen as a point of pride rather than something to be ashamed of, suggesting that if barriers to entry were removed, black athletes would excel across all sports.

Opinions

The author believes that while not all black people are athletically gifted, there is a noticeable pattern of excellence in certain sports among the black community.
Some stereotypes, like black people being naturally athletic, are not seen as negative by the author, who views them as observations rather than malicious generalizations.
The article suggests that environmental factors, such as the cost of sports participation, significantly influence which sports black athletes dominate.
The author posits that the resilience built through the harsh conditions of slavery may have contributed to the physical toughness seen in black athletes today.
It is proposed that the success of black athletes in sports is a source of pride and a testament to their ability to overcome adversity.
The author encourages readers not to be ashamed of the athletic achievements of black people, framing it as a "badge of honor."

Should We Be Ashamed That Black People Are Great at Sports?

Some stereotypes aren’t as horrible as we think

I fell down the YouTube rabbit hole again and somehow landed on a Korean reaction video about Michael Jordan.

One of the Korean guys talked about how most athletes in the NBA are black and that black people are very athletic and strong.

I was surprised to see some black people in the comments take offense to it.

To paraphrase, they said…

“Don’t perpetuate that stereotype. Not all black people are genetically wired to be great at sports. It took a lot of hard work!”

This reminds me of the “Asians are smart” stereotype.

Are all stereotypes really that bad?

I doubt the Koreans in the video meant any malice in their words. They complimented black people for being great at sports.

It tripped me up that some commenters said that black people being great at sports “isn’t a genetic thing.”

How?

Most NBA players are black. Most American football players are black. The fastest man in the world is black.

The most iconic athletes (e.g. Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Babe Ruth, Tiger Woods) are all…blackety black.

At some point, one needs to notice there’s a pattern there.

I’m not saying black people are genetically superior in ALL sports, but we’re pretty damn good at certain ones.

Most researchers like to say that it’s more of a product of our environment. For example, Hockey is one of the most expensive sports in the world, which is why there are barely any black people in the sport.

Cardio-based sports such as running, basketball, and football require little to no expenses. A lot of African-Americans view those sports as a way out to reach financial stability for their families.

I don’t discount that our environment plays a big role.

But how do you explain people like Serena Williams and Tiger Woods if it’s all about expenses?

There’s no doubt in my mind that if black people had access to any sport in the world, we would dominate everything else too.

That makes me more proud than ever.

I'm not ashamed or offended when people say that black people are genetically gifted at sports.

I don’t think it’s racist at all — you’re just calling a spade a spade.

One of my favorite YouTubers who’s an amazing black activist said the reason why black people are great at sports stems from slavery.

“We got stronger while they got weaker.”

I read an academic article that said:

“The success of African-American athletes originated with selective breeding by slave owners.”

These are just speculations and there are obviously no genetic variations in the human race in terms of skin color, but I’d be lying if I said the harsh conditions of slavery didn’t make us a tougher race. If we can withstand that, we can withstand the brutal forces of sports.

Please don’t be ashamed that black people are naturally gifted at sports.

It’s a badge of honor more than anything.

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