In African American culture sport is highly looked upon. Many people in this culture look at sport as a way out of the "projects", and as a great opportunity to achieve higher education along with their goals and dreams. Sport has a positive impact on the African American culture. Sport for them can keep them out of trouble, and give them class mobility. Sport plays a big role in their culture, and gives their future generations more hope and more opportunities.
However, in Hollywood films this culture tends to support more of the stereotype of African Americans athletes. Hollywood usually portrays these athletes as the under dogs who reach salvation, they tend to come from the rough part of town, and when they become successful they become flashy, and spend all their money. This all may have some truth to some situations, but it surely is not the case for all. In Hoop Dreams it does portray some of these aspects. William and Arthur did come from rough parts of towns, and had to over come difficult situations. However, both boys reached some part of their goal, and they ended up achieving a high education because of their sport.
The Hollywood film, Coach Carter, is some what similar to Hoop Dreams in the aspect of education, and over coming adversity. The basketball team at Richmond High School was coached by Kent Carter. These boys were from a rough part of town, and struggled just to stay in school. The coach turned this group of boys around with the game of basketball. He showed them how to work hard, and to come together as a team to be successful. This coach also, pushed them to do well in school if they wanted to reach that next level of basketball; which William and Arthur had to do as well. The ending of this movie resulted in them losing the championship game. However, multiple players received scholarships to play in college, just like William and Arther had. Both movies are true stories ; the Hollywood film in just more dramatic and not in the form of a documentary.
I do not think that sport is damaging the African American race. I think the race it is portrayed poorly as any race is at times depending on the situation,but overall I think sport is bringing a lot of opportunity to them. Like I stated before I believe sport has a positive impact on this culture.
However, in Hollywood films this culture tends to support more of the stereotype of African Americans athletes. Hollywood usually portrays these athletes as the under dogs who reach salvation, they tend to come from the rough part of town, and when they become successful they become flashy, and spend all their money. This all may have some truth to some situations, but it surely is not the case for all. In Hoop Dreams it does portray some of these aspects. William and Arthur did come from rough parts of towns, and had to over come difficult situations. However, both boys reached some part of their goal, and they ended up achieving a high education because of their sport.
The Hollywood film, Coach Carter, is some what similar to Hoop Dreams in the aspect of education, and over coming adversity. The basketball team at Richmond High School was coached by Kent Carter. These boys were from a rough part of town, and struggled just to stay in school. The coach turned this group of boys around with the game of basketball. He showed them how to work hard, and to come together as a team to be successful. This coach also, pushed them to do well in school if they wanted to reach that next level of basketball; which William and Arthur had to do as well. The ending of this movie resulted in them losing the championship game. However, multiple players received scholarships to play in college, just like William and Arther had. Both movies are true stories ; the Hollywood film in just more dramatic and not in the form of a documentary. I do not think that sport is damaging the African American race. I think the race it is portrayed poorly as any race is at times depending on the situation,but overall I think sport is bringing a lot of opportunity to them. Like I stated before I believe sport has a positive impact on this culture.
Gia-I really enjoyed how you started with commenting on how sports is a positive activity for African American culture. Especially the way you clearly show how it is a way for them to boost their mobility within society. At first I thought you were going to continue with the comment saying that you felt this about their representation in Hollywood as well, but you didn't. I completely agree with your comment about how Hollywood tends to reinforce the stereotype. I did my post on comparing Hoop Dreams to the Blind Side so I am glad you chose something different. I have never seen Coach Carter, but with reading your comment now I know for sure that this is representation is a very common theme within African American sport culture and hollywood. Great Post! Hannah Wainright
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