The African American Prospective on Wrestling

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THE AFRICAN AMERICAN PROSPECTIVE ON WRESTLING 1 The African American Prospective on Wrestling Caleb L. Burton Kansas State University Author Note Caleb L. Burton, Department of American Ethnic, Studies, Kansas State University. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Caleb L. Burton, Department of American Ethnic Studies, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506. Contact: caleblb@ksu.edu THE AFRICAN AMERICAN PROSPECTIVE ON WRESTLING Abstract 2 Both African American men and African American women would have to wait many years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation before they would be fully afforded the right to compete in organized sports. During those years African Americans would have to fight to overcome discrimination and poverty. To develop a better understanding of their experience, we will focus on 5 areas of wrestling that African Americans were a part of. Using historical data and biographies, we will analyze the history of wrestling as it relates to African Americans and 3 very different personal experiences of African Americans as it relates to the dynamic nature of challenges faced in the world of wrestling. The purpose of this paper is to educate and inform the reader of the major contributions African Americans have made to wrestling. THE AFRICAN AMERICAN PROSPECTIVE ON WRESTLING The African American Prospective on Wrestling 3 Throughout the history of the United States African American wrestlers have fought for the right to stand equal with their opponents on the mat. The purpose of this paper upon the completion of reading it is to display the African Americans prospective on the sport of wrestling. To fully appreciate the dedication and sacrifices that these men and women of color have made it is critical to know the history of wrestling in Africa; the history of wrestling in America
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