| abstract |
This project-thesis reflects upon the ways that the faith of Black athletes influences them to catalyze social change. It begins with a historical contextualization of faith, sports, and activism by peering through the lenses of Black athletes to explore the ways that their faith, sports, and activism have been experienced, shaped, and expressed over the years. Shifting from past to present, one-on-one interviews focus on contemporary Anti-Racist activism. Recommendations are provided concerning what it will take to grow Anti-Racist activism in professional sports to the next level of influence and impact. As a next step, I propose the establishment of a membership network for Black athletes that supports and nurtures their faith-rooted activism.
My hypothesis assumes that the Anti-Racist, socially liberative activism of many Black professional athletes in the United States is animated by a faith that is rooted in justice and embraces inclusion and unconditional love. Yet, faith is not a prominent part of their public messaging. I acknowledge that there are many Black athletes whose faith traditions embrace exclusive theologies, engender conditional inclusion, and eschew social justice as politics. In many instances, the beliefs of those in the latter faith traditions have been influenced by conservative, white, patriotic evangelicals.
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