‘Ain’t I an Athlete?’: ‘Protecting Women’s Sports’ Has Never Been About Protecting Black Women

The fight over who belongs in women’s sports will only increase the scrutiny of all female athletes — especially Black women and girls.

Photo credit: Envato

It’s an old playbook with new opponents. Black women athletes are often criticized as too aggressive, too strong, too much of everything except what white and sexist sports culture deems acceptable. Their bodies are analyzed, their confidence is seen as threatening, and their strength deemed suspicious.

Now, the same people performin…