Racism and black male student-athlete experiences in a Canadian University

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigates anti-Black racism and the experiences of Black male student-athletes. Specifically, using counter-stories we examine Teshawn’s experiences as a Black male former student-athlete on the varsity football team. In doing so, we also draw on the experiences of other Black student-athletes through a publicly commissioned report detailing incidents of anti-Black racism at the same university. The first composite counter-story ‘Get Out of the Drill!’ highlights racism by the white coaches and the implications for Black student-athletes in their current and future athletic opportunities. The second story, ‘Don’t Listen to Them. Block the Noise!’ highlights racism by the white coaches and white teammates and the negative implications it has on the Black male student-athletes’ academic success. Finally, the third story ‘Racist Jokes and Slurs are Never-ending’ emphasizes the declining mental health and fatigue of Black male student-athletes as reports of racism are ignored and mishandled by the institution.