Description: This book reveals how sports provide spaces for marginalized communities and create unique platforms that shift how society defines identity. Each chapter delves into how those identities-such as race, gender, disability, and sexuality-have developed and influenced social change.
Brief description: Tracy Everbach is Professor of Journalism in the Mayborn School of Journalism and an affiliated faculty member in Women and Gender Studies at the University of North Texas, USA.
Review Quotes: "This collection of articles by authors from different disciplines and continents, including North America, South America, and Europe, focuses on identity politics of marginalized communities participating in sport and how it can impact the wider culture. Overall, the book argues that sport provides the space for the participation and showcasing of marginalized identities, and that because sport operates as a public arena, it can shape the public view of these identities, serving as a vehicle for social change. The editors do not claim to provide an exhaustive examination of the topic but express their goal of highlighting some examples of how sport influences the cultural construction of identity by creating spaces for athletes to build community and showcase how different groups can coexist. The book should appeal to a broad audience given the popularity of sport, but especially because the voices of stakeholders are included. Highly recommended for upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and professionals, as well as, general readers." --Choice Reviews