Discussion Forum

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Discussion Forum
Question 1
Althea faced discrimination for being the only African American playing pro-tennis during a time when the game was for the white folks only but still managed to triumph and become the first black woman ever to win the grand slam championship.
Question 2
A compare and contrast essay analyzes the similarity and difference between two or more subjects. The primary motive of writing a compare and contrast essay is to illuminate the subtle differences and unexpected similarities between the two subjects with an emphasis on understanding their connection. Analysis can either be comparison, contrast or both. There is a vast disparity between an argumentative essay and a compare and contrast essay based on the purpose of writing and the format. An argumentative essay convinces someone that a specific idea or opinion is worth. Unlike other types of essays, an argumentative essay relies on research-based evidence and facts to support the idea or opinion.
Question 3
At an early age, Althea’s parents strived to educate her in the black dominated neighborhood of Harlem. Despite all these challenges, Althea’s passion and love for sports were undoubted. The most important aspect of her life was her ability to endure racial segregation. During the 1950s, many African Americans were barred from participating in various sports (McKay and Johnson 497). Althea was phenomenal in the court, and her talent could no longer stay hidden.

After she was given an opportunity to compete among whites in the court, she utilized this opportunity to prove her determination. Althea defied all odds by winning titles and breaking racial barriers in professional sports.
Gibson never seemed bothered by what the white people had to say about her. Her attitude motivated her to keep on soldering on because she believed in a cause and she was ready to give her all to attain her heart desires. Gibson refused to be called a black tennis player because that already placed her at the center of racial discrimination. Instead, she preferred to be referred to as a tennis player because he was passionate about the game and could not let her skin color limit her capabilities. She aspired to become “somebody,” and he became one of the most prominent tennis players of all times. Gibson was an inspiration to many African Americans who had already lost hope in life because of white supremacy. Following her success in the tennis court, more African American players were allowed to compete in major national leagues. (255 words)
Question 4
Why were African Americans such as Althea Gibson and other persons of color not permitted to participate in professional sports during the 1950s?
A documentary about racial segregation in sports during the 1950s can be a credible source. There are many online topics about it, but most of them are personal blogs which are prone to bias and misinformation. Authors can also use their own opinions when writing books about racial segregation in the sports thereby deeming their books as somewhat biased.
I came to learn that Althea Gibson is just one of the many players who was subjected to racial discrimination during the 1950s. Racism was prevalent in sports such as tennis, baseball, and American football. Many African American players have been barred from playing in the major national leagues because of their skin color. The whites felt superior and therefore segregated the other races. Gibson came from a very humble background in Harlem. The white community was startled by her prowess and mastery of the game. Despite his achievements in tennis, I also learned that Gibson was also a prominent golfer and athlete.
Various civil rights movements were infuriated by the bigotry directed towards African American players and therefore decided to launch a nationwide campaign to break the racial barriers. At one point, Gibson had decided to leave sports and enroll for the military. This was all attributed to the fact that most African American players had been denied the opportunity to compete against white tennis players. I also learned that Alice Marble is one of the pioneers of equality in professional sports. Gibson was on the verge of quitting tennis, but Marble came to her assistance. Marble, though white, wrote an article criticizing racial discrimination. Little did Marble know that this would become a turning point in her life. Following her achievement in tennis, the New Jersey state gave her the post of the commissioner of athletics. She served for a total of 10 years before her retirement. (336 words)
Question 5
A good research question is one that addresses the problem in question either directly or indirectly, hints about the variables to be examined, cyclical and can be generalized in other settings (Denscombe 246). Research writing starts with a question. The researcher formulates a research question about a problem he/she desires to know more about, gathers information to support claims made in the paper and then comes up with a meaningful conclusion. Source-based writing, on the other hand, starts with an answer rather than a question then used sources to validate his/her assertions.
Question 6
Gibson can be compared to Jackie Robinson because they have a similar story. Jackie was the first African American to be permitted to play in the major league baseball. In the 1950s, African American players were not allowed to compete with white players in major baseball national leagues. Black baseball players had their league and were not allowed to compete with white players. Just like Gibson, Jackie was first inducted into the game via the efforts of people who believed that black players deserve equal opportunities as their white counterparts. After having an opportunity to play, Robinson proved that African Americans are not inferior (Tygiel 24).
Similarly, Gibson became a queen of the tennis court after being given a chance to play in major national leagues. Jackie suffered racial discrimination, but he later came to break the racial barrier. Before their retirement, Jackie and Gibson had achieved more than they had never thought. None of them knew the fate of their passion in sports. Luckily, their determination and resilience amidst racial chants from the white people did stop them from becoming the greatest athletes of all time. Jackie also preferred a non-violent approach to address discrimination rather than using violent means.
Furthermore, the two needed to be humble and patient if they desired to become great athletes. Using violent approaches would have only worsened the situation. Their non-violent approach proved that African American players show sports professionalism. However, they used their talent to the fullest and managed to clinch many major national league titles as compared to white players. (258 words)
Question 7
The term status quo means the state of things at the moment. In the said context, the term denotes how African Americans were segregated and discriminated against in professional sports. Most of Gibson’s life and experience revolve around this status quo. She had to keep pushing and break the racial barrier.
Question 8
Gibson’s refusal to be referred as an African American tennis player was pivotal in life. She had a passion for sports, and she was ready to dissociate herself from any conversation regarding the inferiority of her race by that time. She might have felt the need to win trophies rather than to focus on what people were saying about her. Furthermore, she knew that she needed the support of some whites to be inducted into the game. In a nutshell, Gibson had to remain neutral all through. If she were keen attacking those who hauled all forms of racial chants on her, she would not have made great achievements. At one moment of her career life, Gibson preferred to enroll for the military and quit sports. This was due to the ongoing discrimination of African Americans in major sports.
However, I think she ought to have been proud of being an African American who has helped break the racial barrier in professional sports. Gibson would have joined movements aimed to fight for the rights of minority groups and people of color. She is an African American who understands the agony of being discriminated and prejudiced. Failure to march with her fellow tennis player would be considered betrayal. Gibson did not have to side with the white to remain relevant in the court. Many tennis players strived but later made it because they preferred to stick together. African Americans have always come forward to fight for the rights of their fellow black Americans, but Gibson had another idea. (257 words)
Works Cited
Denscombe, Martyn. The good research guide: for small-scale social research projects. McGraw-Hill Education (UK), 2014.
McKay, James, and Helen Johnson. “Pornographic eroticism and sexual grotesquerie in representations of African American sportswomen.” Social Identities 14.4 (2008): 491-504.
Tygiel, Jules. Extra Bases: Reflections on Jackie Robinson, Race, and Baseball History. U of Nebraska Press, 2002.