In “Portraying Tiger Woods: Characterizations of a ‘Black’ Athlete in a ‘White’ Sport,” Andrew Billings discusses how race plays a role in sports commentators’ evaluations of golfers, and particularly in how they describe and comment upon Tiger Woods. A content analysis of 37.5 hours of coverage of golf tournaments between April and August of 2001 by CBS, NBC, and ABC, during which 2,989 evaluative comments occurred, revealed patterns in how sportscasters described Tiger Woods compared to other golfers. When he was losing, Woods was more likely than other golfers in the same position to be described as lacking composure or concentration, of “self-destructing,” and of lacking control over his emotions. Overall, Billings found that the types of language other students have found to be applied to Black athletes were applied to Woods only when he was losing. When he was doing well, commentators did not significantly stereotype Woods.
The study is interesting in light of a video sent in by Jason Eastman. This Wall Street Journal segment discusses the results of a study that investigated how media depictions of college quarterbacks’ performances. A recent study published in the Academic of Management Journal found that media coverage rarely gave African American quarterbacks credit for leadership. When their teams do well, it is because of their natural athletic talent; when they do poorly, it is lack of leadership — blame not equally placed on White quarterbacks when their teams do poorly. So Blacks are blamed more for losses but get less credit for successes — an outcome of stereotyping that has disturbing implications for hiring and promotion in the workplace (sorry for the ad):
Full cites:
Andrew Billings. 2003. “Portraying Tiger Woods: Characterizations of a ‘Black’ Athlete in a ‘White’ Sport.” The Howard Journal of Communications 14: 29-37.
Andrew Carton and Ashleigh Shelby Rosette. 2011. “Explaining Bias against Black Leaders: Integrating Theory on Information Processing and Goal-Based Stereotyping.” Academy of Management Journal 54: 1141-1158.
Comments 10
Guest — January 27, 2012
I don't watch golf enough to know, but could this also be because of his age and personality? I know he's older now, but he's been known for flying off the handle since he was playing when he was younger. Using one golfer - notably one who has been in the spotlight for a variety of reasons for YEARS - and pointing to it as racial stereotyping seems a little unfair. It seems just as likely that this is a motivated by his perceived immaturity, his well-known penchant for tantrums, and 'rock star' status. I'm sure there are lots of ways racism is shown in golf, but I hate to see Tiger Woods as the sole example because he's such an exception to so many rules.
That said, there is DEFINITELY a different way of talking about black quarterbacks at the college and pro levels. I've noticed it myself, and am not at all surprised by the study backing this up.
Belinda Cech — January 27, 2012
With regard to football QBs, two prime examples that immediately popped into my mind were Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles. A comment often heard about Brady his how poised he is in the pocket, his skill at commanding the field and changing up the offense, and his smart decision making. On the other hand, Vick is noted for being highly athletic, quick, agile, he can scramble his way down the field for a 1st down or TD.
I hadn't really thought about it as a trend before, but it's spot on.
JonCarter — January 27, 2012
The Woods study is really ridiculous. Woods always played "against the field" and was always expected to win because of his tremendous talent. There were no "other golfers in the same position". I hope they didn't spend too much money on this "study".
As for college QB's, one would have to compare what kind of offenses they are running. For a running QB, athleticism is what counts most. For a pocket quarterback, decision making is what is important. Did they account for that? I doubt it.
Also, Tiger Woods isn't Black.
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