Hoop Dreams: Is sport a viable passport out of the projects?

LeBron James did it. Allen Iverson did it. Gary Payton did it. They proved if you're an athletes, and have the skills, perserverance and dedication, it doesn't matter where you come from, you can succeed. If only that were true. Unfortunately, the American sports dream, to play at the highest level of professional sport is simply that. A dream. Of the 541,054 high school basketball players only 3.4 percent will go onto playing basketball in college, of those 1.2 percent of them will be in the pros. And once they make it there, there can only be one "LeBron James", per say.

Hoop Dreams follows the life of two inner city boys from Chicago, Arthur Agee and William Gates. Beginning at the ripe age of 14 the documentary follows their lives throughout high school as both boys attempt to reach their dream of laying in the NBA. At the age of 14 two things immediately become crystal clear. These boys share a true, genuine love for the sport of basketball, and not only that, but they see it as the only way to get their families out of the projects. The film stresses the differential treatment among colored and white athletes, not even just on the court, but also in the classroom. Both boys test poorly in classes, Arthur struggles to pay for school at St.Josephs and is forced to leave, while William is allowed to stay. This movie highlights the fact that, sports is the only way to open a door to certain opportunities for underprivileged African Americans. Without the aide of an athletic scholarship, college would not be possible for boys like William and Arthur.

As the movie progresses, we see William began to lose joy in playing basketball. It no longer was something he genuinely enjoyed, but it became more of a job. If William couldn't shoot well, he would be considered obsolete to the school and lose his tuition. Ultimately, the viewers and William know, that basketball is not just a way out of the ghetto, but it is a business.

Hoops Dreams demonstrates life for Black Americans in the projects, and the role of sport in US society as a whole. Watching the movie, it is unfortunate that we don't hear more about the sacrifices that athletes make to become to where they are. Furthermore, it is unfortunate that many children see sport as the only way for their families to escape the projects.

Sport Commercials and Gender Disorder

My following blog will be based off of the " You Can Play Campaign" which can be found by following the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iAmUE3VazY

   I chose this commercial, because it shows the light side of sport that is often hidden, ignored and unrecognized by athletes, fans, players, and coaches. This commercial aired as part of the " You Can Play Campaign", a social activism campaign that is dedicated to eliminating homophobia in professional sports. It's slogan " If you can play, you can play, " is used to show support for LGBT athletes in all sports. This commercial specifically highlights the Bay Area's professional sports team, but the campaign spans across the nations and through all levels of professional, and collegiate athletics.

  I picked this commercial, specifically because there are no consequences. While many sport commercials show the manliness or aggression of some sports, this commercial highlights, I believe this commercial brings light to a very important, and real issue. Since the " You Can Play Campaign" was started in light of Brendan Burke's untimely death in 2009. Burke was the openly gay son of Hockey icon Brian Burke. Brian's supported his son from the day he came out to the day he died, and started the campaign in his memory shortly after. Burke was the closest person to the NHL to ever come out publicly.

By having the " You Can Play Campaign" backed by some of the nation's top athletes and coaches it sheds light on the issue, as well as brings hope to the current status of openly gay or lesbian athletes in sport. This commercial specifically focuses on top players and coaches on nearly all of the Bay Area's professional sports teams. Sports is a big stage and has a huge audience, so it is refreshing to see individuals use the mass amounts of media attention to shed light on an issue that has been surrounding sport for centuries.

While the commercial can be criticized for not having any female athletes, the Bay Area is not home to a big professional female sporting base, and the campaign does feature females athletes in other commercials.