More Black Athletes in the Media

About the Book

Originally published as a dissertation in 1993, this revised edition of “Black Athletes in the Media” is a sociohistorical documentation of trends in the characterization of black athletes in the news media. This study seeks to demonstrate and explain the ambiguity and dilemma of black acceptance in the American ideal with respect to black sporting achievements over the Twentieth Century. The evolution of black stereotypes, depictions and generalizations are traced and exposed in contemporary media. With respect to the media as the foremost propagator of the racial stereotype, it has the ability to shape, influence and arouse public opinion through the manipulation of controversial events. As a result, social imagination is thus enhanced by this authority and “keeper” of social values. The major attention given to black and ethnic athletes by the media represents and reflects a consistent pattern of racial assessments and stereotypical journalistic attitudes.

About the Author

Michael A. Banks was born and raised in Harlem, NYC. He attended Long Island University Brooklyn Campus where he received a BA (1980) and an MA (1983) in the field of sociology. He acquired a Ph.D. from the CUNY Graduate Center in 1993 in sociology also with a focus on black studies and urban sociology. His dissertation entitled “Black Athletes in the Media” is his first published work. He is involved in his community, sports and is hoping that he can make a contribution to the overall improvement of society.