Tamra B. Orr - African Americans in Sports: Groundbreakers and Game Changers

Published in 2020 by

Lucent Press, an Imprint of Greenhaven Publishing, LLC

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Copyright 2020 Greenhaven Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning

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Designer: Deanna Paternostro

Editor: Diane Bailey

Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Orr, Tamra B.

Title: African Americans in sports: groundbreakers and game changers / Tamra B. Orr.

Description: New York: Lucent Press, 2020. | Series: Lucent library of black history | Includes index.

Identifiers: ISBN 9781534568464 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781534568471 (library bound) | ISBN 9781534568488 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: African American athletesHistoryJuvenile literature. | Racism in sportsUnited States--Juvenile literature. | Discrimination in sportsUnited StatesHistoryJuvenile literature.

Classification: LCC GV583.O73 2020 | DDC 796.092396073--dc23

Printed in the United States of America

Some of the images in this book illustrate individuals who are models. The depictions do not imply actual situations or events.

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CONTENTS

FOREWORD

F rom medicine and law to sports and literature, African Americans have played a major role in the history of the United States. However, these groundbreaking men and women often faced prejudice and persecution. More than 300 years ago, Africans were taken in chains from their home and enslaved to work for the earliest American settlers. They suffered for more than two centuries under the brutal oppression of their owners until the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861. After the dust settled four years later and thousands of Americansboth black and white had died in combat, slavery in the United States had been legally abolished. By the turn of the 20th century, with the help of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, African American men had finally won significant battles for the basic rights of citizenship, but the fight for equality was far from over. Even after the successes of the civil rights movement, the struggle continuedand it still continues today.

Although the history of the African American experience is not always a pleasant story, it is also filled with powerful moments of positive change. These triumphs of human equality were achieved with help from brave social activists such as Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., and Maya Angelou. They all experienced racial prejudice in their lifetimes and fought by writing, speaking, and acting against it. By exposing the suffering of the black community, they brought people together to try to remedy centuries worth of wrongdoing.

Today, it is important to learn about the history of African Americans and their experiences in modern America in order to work toward healing the divide that still exists in the United States. This series aims to give readers a deeper appreciation for and understanding of a part of the American story that is often left untold.

Even before the legal emancipation of slaves, black culture was thriving despite many attempts to suppress it. From music to language to art, slaves began cultivating an identity that was completely unique. Soon after these slaves were granted citizenship, African American culture burst into the mainstream. New generations of authors, scholars, painters, and singers were born, and they spread an appreciation for black culture across America and the entire world. Studying the contributions of these talented individuals fosters a sense of optimism. Despite the cruel treatment and racist attitudes these men and women faced, they never gave up, and they helped change the world with their determination and unique voices.

The Lucent Library of Black History offers a glimpse into the lives and accomplishments of some of the most important and influential African Americans across historical time periods and areas of interest. From the arts and sports to the military and politics, the wide variety of topics allows readers to get a full and clear picture of the successes and struggles African Americans have experienced and are continuing to experience. Titles examine primary source documents and quotes from historical and modern figures to provide an enriching learning experience for readers. With detailed timelines, unique sidebars, and a carefully selected bibliography for further research, this series gives readers the tools to independently discover historical events and figures that do not often get their time in the spotlight.

By balancing the harsh realities of the past and present with a sense of hopefulness for the future, the Lucent Library of Black History helps young people understand an essential truth: Black history is a vital part of American history.

INTRODUCTION

AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONS

I n August 2016, when 19-year-old Simone Biles stepped onto the mat during the Womens Olympic Individual All-Around competition, the audience seemed to sense that a memorable performance was coming. Over the next few minutes, Biless reputation as one of the most powerful and talented gymnasts in the world proved true. Although this young woman was great at every gymnastic event, she dominated the floor routine. She was amazingly strong, and her last flips and turns were as high and forceful as her firstif not more so. That day, she won four gold medals.

A little over two years later, in 2018, she became the first woman to win four all-around world titles at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. In 2019, she stated that gymnastics is hard mentally and physically. I remember some of the days Im like: Why am I here? What am I doing? What did I do? But in the end, its all worth it, so Im happy Everybody thinks a champion has to always be the winner, come out on top. But I think everybody inside is a champion themselves depending on how you handle your failures and your successes.

Biless performances came just a few years after another African American gymnast, Gabby Douglas, impressed audiences at several international events. Her amazing releases on the uneven bars earned her the nickname Flying Squirrel. In 2012, Douglas helped lay the foundation for Biless success when she became the first African American to take home the gold medal in the Individual All-Around competition at the Olympics.

Over the last century, there have been countless black trailblazers who have broken through racial barriers in sports, but just a few generations ago, it might have been difficult for many people to imagine that the sports world would embrace such astounding African American athletes as Biles and Douglas.

Simone Biles skillfully controlled her movements, her routine, and her audience, keeping them amazed for her entire performance.