That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore: Racial Microaggressions, Color-Blind Ideology and the Mitigation of Racism in English Men’s First-Class Cricket

Abstract

This article investigates the presence and effects of racial microaggressions in English first-class cricket. Drawing on interview data with British Asian players, it not only highlights players' experiences of racism, but also identifies their tendency to downplay the repercussions of some of the forms that this prejudice takes. The analysis demonstrates that color-blind ideology is so entrenched in contemporary Western sport that its reproduction is not exclusively the preserve of white groups; it can also at times compel minority ethnic participants to endorse dominant claims that the effects of racism are overstated as well. As a consequence they are often pressured into denying or downplaying those forms of verbal discrimination which are articulated between team-mates and in a seemingly playful manner, dismissing incidents as merely "banter" or "jokes".Cet article porte sur la présence et les effets des micro-agressions raciales au cricket anglais. À partir des données d'entrevues réalisées auprès de joueurs anglo-asiatiques, il met en lumière leurs expériences de racisme et identifie leur tendance à amenuiser les répercussions de certaines des formes d'un tel préju-dice. L'analyse suggère que l'idéologie de l'absence de différence raciale est tellement enracinée dans le sport contemporain occidental que sa reproduction n'est pas exclusivement l'apanage des groupes blancs, elle peut aussi parfois contraindre les participants issus de minorités ethniques à entériner un discours dominant selon lequel les effets du racisme sont surévalués. En conséquence, ils sont souvent poussés à nier ou à minimiser ces formes de discrimination verbale qui sont articulées entre coéquipiers d'une façon apparemment ludique, rejetant les incidents comme étant de simples blagues.For many (although certainly not all) participants, fans, and media commentators, racism in professional sport in the UK is now perceived as largely a thing of the past. Any remnants are seen to be perpetrated by a decreasing number of residual bigots, who reside on the terraces rather than in the locker-rooms, management offices, and boardrooms. Indeed, it is frequently argued that racism at elite club and 261

Off-Colour Landscape: Framing Race Equality in Sport Coaching

“…The PWS Equality Lead's concern regarding the lack of "real understanding" as to 'race' and ethnicity issues in sport coaching echoes the sentiments of Mirza (2009) and Burdsey (2011b, 2011c who highlight that this numerical representation of Black participants and coaches does not represent a genuine and meaningful organisational culture that respects and promotes equality and diversity values. Burdsey (2011b, p. 265) states that "numerical representation by no means correlates with feelings of inclusion and belonging, or signifies the eradication of inequality and prejudice".…”

“…For some NGBs the participation of Black groups as participants and coaches was used as 'evidence' of racial equality and inclusivity in their sport which led them to deny racial inequalities within their coaching workforce (Burdsey, 2011b(Burdsey, , 2014Hoeber, 2007;Hoeber & Frisby, 2001;Hylton & Morpeth, 2012). The Equality Leads, from one of the larger NGBs that supported the development and management of an Olympic and Paralympic sport, expressed disappointment when explaining how the belief by many in the sport was that diversity in participation equated to inclusion.…”

‘For your ears only!’ Donald Sterling and backstage racism in sport

“…The prevalence of whiteness at the highest levels of sport governance has led many to criticise the racialised hierarchies that have formed to the exclusion of Black and minoritised ethnic bodies. Bradbury, van Sterkenburg, and Mignon (2015), Cleland and Cashmore (2014), Burdsey (2011), Ratna (2011 are all concerned with sport's penchant with colourblindness and 'level playing field' ideologies affecting its relative inability to critically engage processes of whiteness. Consequently this has led to asymmetrical racialised power relations, raced and gendered stereotypes and cultures.…”

Re-establishing the ‘outsiders’: English press coverage of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup

“…This was alluded to in Spiers (2015) and Redknapp's (2015) concern that they would be labelled as 'male chauvinist(s)' for not liking women's football. Indeed, it has been noted how references to 'political correctness' work as a shorthand for the anxieties of dominant ('established') groups (Suhr and Johnson, 2003;Burdsey, 2011). Echoing the disclaimer, 'I am not a racist, but… ' (Van Dijk, 2008), such remarks serve to mitigate between anti-racist or, in this case, misogynist claims, while latently framing derisions against 'political correctness' as a virtue of ignorance.…”

“…Whereas such anxieties sit awkwardly with the lack of media coverage that is afforded female sport, 7 these concerns tended to emanate from the view that women's football was, despite its apparent lack of skill and excitement, being compared favorably to men's football (Liddle, 2015;Reade, 2015;Spiers, 2015). As a result, there was an assertion that the men's game had to be defended (Burdsey, 2011). This rested upon comments that sought to link the journalist's opinions with a broader sense of acknowledged support.…”