The Equalizing Power of Sport in American Society

The equalizing power of sport in American society: A thematic analysis of the film 42: The True Story of an American LegendMcKenna Kendrick | kendrimc@dukes.jmu.edu James Madison University

Jarrod McAninch | mcaninjm@dukes.jmu.eduJames Madison University

Joshua R. Pate, Ph.D. (Advisor / Primary Contact) | patejr@jmu.eduJames Madison University

42: The True Story of an American Legend

Released April 12, 2013

Directed by Brian Helgeland

Starring Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford

The Assignment

Sociology and Psychology Course

Watch the film 42 and identify themes

Racial Inequalities

Family and Economic Status

Religious Ties to Race

Social and Cultural Inequalities

Racial Inequalities

Beginning colonies

Ideology acceptance

Legal segregation

Impact today

Economic Status

“The Business of Baseball”

“Money’s not black or white, it’s green.” - Branch Rickey in the film 42

Family Rachel and Jackie

Cincinnati father and son

Religious Ties to Race

Morality and race

The “purity” of sport

“He’s a Methodist, I’m a Methodist...And God’s a Methodist; We can’t go wrong.” - Branch Rickey in the film

“You think God likes baseball, Herb?” - Branch Rickey in the film

Social and Cultural Inequalities

Whiteness in sport

“Cultural acceptance of racial discrimination and inequality” - Coakley (2014)

Old Boys Club mentality

Human Rights and Social Change

Leveling the playing field Sport as an equalizer

“Baseball was proof positive that democracy was real. A baseball box score after all, is a democratic thing. It doesn't say how big you are, or what religion you follow it does not know how you voted, or the color of your skin, it simply states what kind of ballplayer you were on any particular day.” - Reporter in the film 42

The equalizing power of sport in American society: A thematic analysis of the film 42: The True Story of an American Legend McKenna Kendrick | kendrimc@dukes.jmu.edu James Madison University

Jarrod McAninch | mcaninjm@dukes.jmu.eduJames Madison University

Joshua R. Pate, Ph.D. (Advisor / Primary Contact) | patejr@jmu.eduJames Madison University