Cam Newton and Russell Westbrook's Symbolic Resistance to Whiteness in the NFL and NBA

Abstract

Using critical rhetorical analysis (McKerrow, 1989) as a method of analysis and critique, and informed by critical whiteness studies (Nakayama & Krizek, 1995) and Black feminist thought (Collins, 1991), this project argues that NFL North Carolina Panthers' quarterback Cam Newton and NBA Oklahoma City Thunder's point guard Russell Westbrook rhetorically perform an alternative Black masculinity that symbolically contests whiteness's surveillance of male bodies who occupy Black positionality in the NFL and NBA via their performance of cool pose (Majors & Billson, 1992). Focusing on news and sports media coverage in the 2015–2016 season, this project also interrogates whiteness's strategies to reconstitute Newton and Westbrook's expressions of cool pose by inscribing Black masculinity with belittling and dehumanizing controlling images that favor whiteness and White masculinity. This manuscript closes with a discussion of the harmful repercussions of whiteness's strategies in pro sports as well as the possibilities that athletes like Newton and Westbrook bring forth for social justice initiatives.

KEYTERMS:

• whiteness
• Black Feminist Thought
• Black masculinity
• National Football League
• National Basketball Association
• surveillance

Notes

1 To identify individuals who contribute to and/or benefit from whiteness's cultural space, I refer to individuals as those who “occupy White positionality” and “occupy Whiteness” or a variation of these terms rather than as “White” (Nakayama & Krizek, 1995). Consistent with American Psychological Association formatting, I capitalize “White” but not “whiteness” to identify “White” as a racial identification and to call attention to its significance.

2 When describing individuals who identify as Black or who occupy Black positionality, I have chosen to use the label “Black,” a name that individuals who occupy Black positionality have historically claimed for themselves (Collins, 2004). This label is appropriate, rather than “African American,” because it references African heritage or ethnicity, which may not be accurate for all individuals who occupy Black positionality, as they could have a different ethnic identity or heritage. I also refer to individuals who identify as Black as individuals who “occupy Black positionality” or a variation of this phrase. In such instances, I capitalize “Black” and I only use “black” when providing a direct quote from an author.

3 The NFL Rule Book was updated for the 2017 season, after this analysis was conducted, to allow for players to 1) participate in premediated group celebrations, 2) celebrate on the ground, and 3) use the ball as a prop during celebrations. All other rules described in this study are still in place as of 2018.