Lack of Black Opps: Kobe Bryant and the Difficult Path of Redemption

Abstract

A fundamental contradiction anchors contemporary sport: for many, it exemplifies racial transcendence; yet racism continues to shape play, persona, and possibilities. For Black athletes, in particular, it opens a space of overdetermination, constraining representation and reception, while challenging their humanity. Following Joe Feagin (2009), this article suggests the white racial frame offers a means of accounting for and unpacking the persistent force of race in a society determined to be beyond—or better said, done with—it. Recent panics around Kobe Bryant center the analysis. A close reading of media coverage and fan commentary reveals a troubling discursive pattern of racialization and sexualization. Indeed, especially in online forums, this discourse actively seizes upon the All-Pro forward to rearticulate supposedly antiquated formulations of difference and reanimate the prevailing hierarchies anchored in them. Ultimately, popular reception and representation of Bryant exposes not only the persistent myths of black masculinity at the heart of the white racial frame, but also suggest the ways in which they make it impossible for African Americans (athlete or not) to transcend them, redeem themselves in a white world, or claim dignity and humanity.

Crisis Management Report on Kobe’s Sexual Assault Case

“…He soon realized that the incident was not just a defame case but extremely complicated. He decided to sit with his wife and held a short press conference to elaborate on the incident further to the public [8]. He admitted that he had a sexual encounter with the 19-year-old girl, but the sex was consensual.…”

Racism in contemporary American institutions: a critical, color-blind discourse analysis of sport

“…Researchers have also started to focus on representations of single professional athletes in mainstream media. Leonard (2004) employed Bonilla-Silva's color-blind framework to examine how its frames operated in discussions about race in general society and, specifically surrounding Kobe Bryant's 2003 rape trial and the subsequent ongoing destructive imagery and conversations that were produced (Leonard, 2004;Leonard & King, 2011). Alexander (2009) explored the racialized framing of Barry Bond's during his 2007 race for Major League Baseball's all-time home run record, illuminating how many sportswriters and fans were "reluctant to at least acknowledge the possibility that race played a role in how" (p.86) Barry Bonds was unfairly treated, framed, and perceived in mainstream media (Alexander, 2009).…”

“…Discourse and imagery analysis of professional and intercollegiate sports have become a popular method for identifying and attributing meaning to racism in contemporary America where public, overt racial talk and actions are widely condemned. Researchers have examined the public, racially charged commentary and images surrounding individual, Black athletes such as Kobe Bryant (Leonard, 2004;Leonard & King, 2011), Barry Bonds (Alexander, 2009), Serena and Venus Williams (Douglas, 2012), and Ray Emery (Lorenz & Murray, 2014). Moreover, researchers have focused on the overall commentary and portrayals of Black athletes in several professional and intercollegiate sports.…”

“…Moreover, researchers have focused on the overall commentary and portrayals of Black athletes in several professional and intercollegiate sports. These studies have included: the National Basketball Association (NBA) (Bruce, 2004;Leonard, 2004;Leonard & King, 2011;Primm et al, 2007), the National Football League (NFL) (Primm et al, 2007), and European football Cleland & Cashmore, 2013). In addition, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's Division I Basketball (Bruce, 2004;Love & Hughey, 2015;Rada & Wulfemeyer, 2003) and NCAA men's Division I Football (Rada & Wulfemeyer, 2003;Sanderson, 2010) have become important settings for scientific examination and analysis.…”

“…For instance, many studies focus on Black athletes in sports that are primarily composed of Black athletes such as the NBA and NFL and little attention has been concentrated on Black athletes in sports that are primarily composed of White athletes such as the NHL, Major League Baseball and the Professional Golfers Association. Moreover, a number of studies have focused their analysis on public television, newspaper, and announcer commentary to expose racial biases and stereotypes (Alexander, 2009;Bruce, 2004;Douglas, 2012;Leonard & King, 2011;Lorenz & Murray, 2014;Rada & Wulfemeyer, 2003). While these studies provide important insights into the workings of public racial discourses, they are limited in providing insights into the racial conversations and justifications that occur in environments that are believed to provide privacy and anonymity (Love & Hughey, 2015;Myers & Williamson, 2001;Sanderson, 2010).…”