Sports can serve as an inspirational example of what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance, regardless of one's race. However, race still plays a major role in sports, and sports are key agents of racial socialization.

This new edition challenges the idea that America has moved beyond racial discrimination and identifies the obvious and subtle ways in which racial identities and athletic determinism affect individuals in the world of sports. Featuring a new chapter covering the history of Black athletes in college sports and the historic and contemporary role of the NCAA and including 40% revised material covering major events and players since 2015, Lori Latrice Martin's influential text makes clear the links between sports and society as a whole and demonstrates that the issues surrounding racism in sports are not limited to the playing field.