Striving to Be in the Profession and of It

Abstract

This study analyzes the experiences of African Americans in the physical education and kinesiology profession since the late 1850s. Using a variety of primary and secondary source material, we place special emphasis on the experiences of African American physical educators in higher education and in the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and its southern, regional, and state chapters. Apparent from this examination is that African Americans have experienced various forms of racially discriminatory practices in physical education and kinesiology and have found it extraordinarily difficult to assume leadership positions in the profession and be acknowledged for their scholarly and academic accomplishments.

Key words:

• Discrimination
• History
• Race
• Recreation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David K. Wiggins

We thank Jeffrey Monseau, College Archivist at Springfield College, for helping us locate documents and other materials for this study. We also thank Doris R. Corbett of Howard University, Samuel R. Hodge of The Ohio State University, and Camille P. O'Bryant of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, for reading and providing suggestions on an earlier draft of this manuscript. Please address all correspondence concerning this article to David K. Wiggins, School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism, 10900 University Boulevard, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, 20110.