Routledge Contesting ‘Race’ and Sport: Shaming the Colour Line

In the decade since Kevin Hylton’s seminal book ‘Race’ and Sport: Critical Race Theory was published, racialised issues have remained at the forefront of sport and leisure studies. In this important new book, Hylton draws on original research in contemporary contexts, from sport coaching to cyberspace, to show once again that Critical Race Theory is an insightful and productive tool for interrogating problematic social phenomena. Inspired by W.E.B. Du Bois’ statement that "the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the colour line", this book sheds a critical light on the way sport perpetuates racism, while identifying opportunities to challenge its insidious presence. Exploring and explaining the ways in which notions of ‘race’ are expressed and contested at individual, institutional and societal levels, it addresses key topics such as whiteness, diversity, colourblindness, unconscious bias, identity, leadership, humour and discourse to investigate how language can be used as a device for resistance against racism in sport. Contesting ‘Race’ and Sport: Shaming the Colour Line is vital reading for all sport studies students, academics and those with an interest in race, ethnicity and society. Review "Kevin Hylton treads an exciting and inspirational path in this comprehensive and insightful account of race and sport. His is a powerful voice which resonates across differing sports and differing contexts to sound a call for more profound critical interrogation." - Professor Ian Law, School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds, UK "Kevin Hylton is one of the foundational figures in the British school of Critical Race Theory. In his latest book Hylton once again combines his trademark clarity of expression and commitment with detailed analysis of powerful and varied empirical data. Sport has emerged as one of the few public arenas where race and anti-racism are still openly debated. However, as Hylton demonstrates, this does not mean that sporting arenas are any less racialized and subject to the multiple and complex oppressions of Whiteness." - David Gillborn, Director of the Centre for Research in Race and Education, University of Birmingham, UK "Kevin Hylton is not only a leading British advocate of Critical Race Theory but also the most important exponent of this framework to an understanding of the persistence of racial injustice in sport. This important book utilises a range of examples from the paucity of Black coaches to sports blogs in order to illustrate the pervasive nature of racism and the potential for resistance at different levels. The author demonstrates how sport is not a marginal phenomenon but reveals the prevalence of racial bias in society and points to alternative ways through which such everyday bias can be combated." - Professor Andrew Pilkington, University of Northampton, UK "Without question, Kevin Hylton’s book not only contests the manners and ways that Race crafting (the radicalization of people, the systematic social construction of Race) has occurred in sports, but it makes a grand addition to Critical Race Theory literature. Derrick Bell and others initiated this framework to challenge institutions, raise awareness, and change law and policy, and with Hylton’s book these three areas of CRT are affirmed." - Rasul A. Mowatt, Chair of the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, and Associate Professor, Department of American Studies, Indiana University, USA About the Author Kevin Hylton is Head of the Research Centre for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Professor of Equality and Diversity in Sport, Leisure and Education in the Carnegie Research Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure at Leeds Beckett University, UK. Kevin has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and books, including ‘Race’ and Sport: Critical Race Theory (2009); Atlantic Crossings: Internationa