The Native American Identity in Sports: Creating and Preserving a Culture

Salamone, Frank A. (Editor)

ISBN 10: 0810887088 / ISBN 13: 9780810887084

Published by Scarecrow Pr, 2012

About this Item

224 pages. 9.00x0.90x6.20 inches. In Stock.

Seller Inventory # x-0810887088

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Native American Identity in Sports: Creating and Preserving a Culture
• Publisher: Scarecrow Pr
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0810887088
• ISBN 13: 9780810887084
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Brand New
• Weight: 0.45 kilograms

About this title

Synopsis

On October 15, 1964 Billy Mills became the only American to win an Olympic Gold Medal for the 10,000 meters. It was but one notable triumph in sports by a Native American. Yet, unlike Mills's achievement, most significant contributions from Native Americans have gone unheralded. From individual athletes, teams, and events, it is clear that the "Vanishing Americans" are not vanishing―but they are sadly overlooked.

The Native American Identity in Sports: Creating and Preserving a Culture not only includes, but goes beyond the great achievements of Billy Mills to note numerous other instances of Native American accomplishment and impact on sports. This collection of essays examines how sport has contributed to shaping and expressing Native American identity―from the attempt of the old Indian Schools to “Americanize” Native Americans through sport to the “Indian mascot” controversy and what it says about the broader public view of Native Americans. Additional essays explore the contemporary use of the traditional sport Toka to combat obesity in some Native American communities, the Seminoles’ commercialization of alligator wrestling―a “Native” sport that was, in fact, only developed as a sport due to interest from tourists―and much more.

The contributions to this volume not only tell the story of Native Americans’ participation in the world of sports, but also how Native Americans have changed and enriched the sports world in the process. For anyone interested in the deep effect sport has on culture, The Native American Identity in Sports is an indispensable read.

About the Author

Frank A. Salamone is emeritus professor and past Chair of Sociology and Anthropology at Iona College, New Rochelle, NY. He has authored or edited more than 10 books and over 100 articles. His recent books include The Lucy Memorial Freed Slaves’ Home, with Virginia Salamone, The Italians of Rochester, NY: 1940-1860, and The Culture of Jazz: Jazz as Critical Culture.