Why is it so hard for certain races to even get opportunities to play sports in America?

Question

Mainly football. Going to Europe, they actually give you a chance to play their sports. Even the pros there are open to letting everyone try out for the team and in schools they could care less, you just go on the field and you start playing (the sports they play are mainly tennis and soccer).

In America, it is different. I noticed in professional football they will not let you put on the helmet in play and in a lot of places (mainly Texas and a lot of the Southern states) they will not let you play football if you are Asian. Is this really what American sports boil down to? I am a proud American but we put so much emphasis on race that it is not even funny and I have noticed this the most in American football. So since you guys are football fans,


why are Americans so racist when it comes to sports? Why don't they let all races play sports like football instead of stereotyping and only letting Blacks and Whites play the sport. Asians are hardworking people and if given the opportunity, most will do good in football so why are Americans against giving people of all races an opportunity to play sports like football?

Why does race play such a big role in sports in America unlike in countries like Europe where they only care about skill?

Answer 1

Actually, a lot of times, it's because the Asians don't want to play football. I've never heard of Asians being descriminated against, when it comes to football.

Answer 2

Because America still has plenty of racism.

Oh, are you also aware that the FA had a policy of disallowing black footballers until the 1970's?



You, sir, may do very well to take the time to look at rugby league. The code has never had an exclusionary policy against players of color (especially in England), and Australia's National Rugby League was the first sporting organization in the country to extend a hand towards their indigenous population, and the percentage of Indigenous and Pacific Islanders are increasing every year. Also, the Leeds Rhinos of the UK-based Super League has also taken the time to help establish the code on the island of Jamaica.



Besides, the game is much more entertaining than either rugby union or gridiron football. Hopefully we will have a fully professional league on our shores come March of next year.

Answer 3

Oh my God, finally! I've been wanting to ask the same exact question for a long time. Man, do I just adore you for your caring and courage in asking this. I'm a sophomore in high school and I find it extremely disturbing that coaches/teammates/teachers alike secretly discriminate racial minorities in sports. America is definitely THE most racist country when it comes to all matters, even in sports, which are supposed to encourage players of all different origins to bond and which are supposed to be universal and fair. Why does America participate in Olympics every two years then? Isn't that big sporting event supposed to promote the mutual feeling of enthusiasm for various sports among many different races? In my high school, there's only one Asian football player and he was born and raised in America. No single player except for one in our soccer varsity team is of Asian or Indian or other enthnic minorities' descent in our school AND migrated to America in their teen years. For the player in soccer varsity, I give all my support to him since I can just imagine how hard it would have been for him to try out for the team and actually GET a position for his own skills when he was not born and raised in this country as the Asian footballer I mentioned above. I know he's still not getting along well with other players on the team because they furtively exclude him. One of my Asian friends was also humiliated and ostracized when she was in a freshman field hockey team by fellow teammates AND coaches. Just how sick and unjust is that? All freshman teams are supposed to be for people who have enough passion for the sports even if they aren't good. By the way, don't give me the bull about her not doing hard work because she was probably the most enthusiastic one in trying to improve her overall skills. Why are American schools and America in whole like this, I can't understand and I don't wanna understand either. I truly despise this system and wish to see it disappear. I really admire European countries for their tolerance and more accepting attitudes toward athletes of all races. This is why America is still criticized as a less developed country than lots of other European countries when it has the number one financial ratings and everything.

Answer 4

You're stereotyping. Did you actually make a survey of how many Asians, Native Americans (by the way, did you ever hear of Jim Thorpe), Hispanics, et al, are involved in all level of sports in America? I highly doubt it. Sports, along with the military, have actually been the equalizer in race relations.



Most Asians, for example, who migrate to the USA, come here to escape oppression, and to have their children get a good education. In the South Bay area of Southern California, high school football teams are stacked with Samoans.



I guarantee you never checked the rosters of high school, college, or professional teams, to determine the ethnicity of the players, male and female.



"In America, it is different. I noticed in professional football they will not let you put on the helmet in play and in a lot of places (mainly Texas and a lot of the Southern states) they will not let you play football if you are Asian."



This is the most ignorant, untrue, and bigoted statement I've read in the Yahoo, or other, sports forums. You are the epitomy of racist thoughts.



Bob

Answer 5

It depends more on where you grow up and what culture plays what sport. I do see that one race plays this more than a race plays that, but it's not always like that. Have a nice day.

Answer 6

By experience I can tell you that baseball, football and basketball in America can get really race oriented. Most of those sports are controlled by rednecks/hicks and the other (basketball) is controlled by hip hop culture. Both cultures tend to put heavy emphasis on race and compared to Europe, America is immature and not as developed when it comes to race relations.



In Europe, if you wanted to play soccer, you could just go up to the kids and ask them to play soccer and they would let you play (if you get schooled then that's you fault) and the same went for basketball. In America, I once went up to some African American kids and asked them if I can join in on a game of basketball and they told me to go back to my own country. I did the same for football and a coach told me that I was not of the right skin color to be playing the sport. I never ran into any trouble with baseball but I never bothered to play the sport.



I plan on giving American football one more go when I get to college, hopefully I do not run into any troubles with race there. You make a good point, Americans are race oriented when it comes to sports.



123: Believe me, it happens A LOT.

Answer 7

What a load of Bull. It's got nothing to do with your race. It's because you suck, and you're making excuses. No coach would turn down someone with talent, someone who would help them win games.



Quit kiddin yourself and quit playing the race card. It's pathetic.

Answer 8

oh whaaa! i'm no good at sports so coach won't let me on the team so he must be racist because i'm 1/32 native american. or asian or black or whatever. whine!



grow up.

Answer 9

I don't agree, Scott Fujita gets to play for the New Orleans Saints..............................wait Scott Fujita isn't asian!