Swimming Upstream: Former Diversity Committee Chairs’ Perceptions of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology's Commitment to Organizational Diversity

Abstract

Commitment to diversity within the field of sport psychology is a crucial yet underrepresented research topic. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of individuals who have been instrumental in trying to effect diversity change within the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Seven of 10 former AASP Diversity Committee chairs were interviewed about their experiences as chairs. Three main themes resulted: (a) the overall experience of being diversity chair, (b) perceived challenges to implementation of initiatives, and (c) perceived current state of affairs related to diversity. Future directions for research and application are given, including a recommendation that AASP create a specific diversity action plan, establishing a clear description of what diversity means within AASP. Moving beyond demographic or visual categories (e.g., skin color, sexual identity, ability status), a broader definition that encompasses the values, beliefs, and practices of a variety of intersectional identit(ies) is required through careful consideration and discussion.

Notes

As cited in Fisher and Anders (2010): “Patricia Hill Collins [1991] argued that ‘race, class and gender oppression could not continue without powerful ideological justifications for their existence’ [p. 67]. As a part of a dominant ideology, oppressors use markers, images, and symbols to name the ‘other.’ This media are deployed ‘to make racism, sexism, and poverty appear to be natural, normal, and an inevitable part of everyday life’ [p. 68]” (p. 123).