Race in Play

Carl E. James, PhD, is Professor in the Faculty of Education at York University.

• Introduction: Race, Sports, and SchoolingThe Background to My QuestionsMulticulturalism, Minority Students, Athletic Participation, and EducationSourcesOrganization of the BookChapter 1: ""That's Why I Come to School"": The Significance of Sports to the High School Plans of Grade Eight StudentsSports and the Educational and Career/Occupational Plans of Black StudentsOur Study of Westville Middle School Student-AthletesThe High School Plans and Aspirations of Westville Middle School StudentsThe Significance of Sports and Athletic Activities to the Plans and Aspirations of StudentsParental Role and Influence in the High School Plans and Educational Aspirations of StudentsConclusion: Making the Transition from Middle School to High SchoolChapter 2: Race and the Social/Cultural Worlds of Student-AthletesRace and Sports Participation: Who Plays What and Why?The Social and Cultural World of Young Basketball PlayersExperiences of Minority Athletes in Hockey: A Sport ""Central to Mainstream Life""Conclusion Chapter 3: The Long Shots: Going South on Basketball TicketsBlack Student-Athletes and their Dream of Going SouthThe Toronto Star Players of 2003The Study of Five Student-AthletesBasketball, Education, and Scholarship OpportunitiesImportance of Exposure: ""You Can't Just Sit Back and Expect Scouts to Come Watch for You""The Role of Coaches and TeachersParental Support and Scholarship AspirationsA Reading of the Student-Athletes' Perceptions and Scholarship AspirationsConclusion: Scholarship Aspirations and the Desire to ""Go South""Chapter 4: The Gendered Experiences of Female Students in Sports, with Special Reference to AliciaGender, Sports, Schooling, and the Situation of Young Minority Female StudentsAchieving the Dream: Alicia's StoryConclusionChapter 5: Set Dreams, Failed Plans, Frustrated Transitions, and LessonsThe ParticipantsDiscussionConclusionChapter 6: Teaching Athletes/Coaching Students: On the Role of CoachesStudent-Athletes' Perspectives of Coaches: Friends, Father-Figures, and SponsorsCoaches' Perspectives and Their Roles in the Lives of Student-AthletesThe High Cost of Winning: ""My Job Is to Tell Them That You're Not Going Anywhere""Conclusion: ""Sports Is Such an Effective Tool For Teachers and Students Alike""Chapter 7: Parental Concerns, Athletic Participation and Academic AttainmentThe Concern: Ensuring the Academic Success of Racialized Students Getting beyond the Concerns: Athletics Can be Complementary to AcademicsEnsuring Equal Opportunity and Academic Attainment of Marginalized Student-AthletesConclusionConclusion: Toward More Inclusive Schooling for Student-Athletes

This book provides educators with an opportunity to explore critical issues that influence and, at times, determine, the roles, functions, and indeed the very future of today's youth as they take their place in Canadian society. Dr. James has written a very provocative, well-conceptualized book. He makes good use of newspaper articles, popular literature, and other resources to provide a work rich in detail that challenges the essentialism often associated with race. In an increasingly diverse cultural milieu, James's book is a must for teachers, teacher educators, and educational policy makers."" - Dr. Cecille DePass, Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Calgary