Did social class impact Althea Gibson life and career? How?
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/althea-gibson
Yes, social class did impact Althea Gibson's life and career. Althea Gibson was an African-American tennis player who emerged as one of the greatest athletes in the 1950s and 1960s. At that time, she faced significant socioeconomic challenges due to her race and social class.
To understand how social class impacted her life and career, one can explore the following avenues of research:
1. Racial Segregation: During the mid-20th century, racial segregation was prevalent in many areas of the United States, including professional sports. Althea Gibson encountered various barriers and limited opportunities due to racism and the social class associated with being African-American. For instance, she was initially denied entry to tournaments and faced discrimination in the tennis community.
2. Limited Access to Resources: Individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds often face obstacles related to access to resources, such as tennis coaching, proper equipment, and training facilities. Althea Gibson grew up in a disadvantaged neighborhood in Harlem, New York, which limited her access to these resources. Nonetheless, she managed to learn and improve her tennis skills on public courts.
3. Financial Constraints: Financial resources play an integral role in pursuing a professional sports career. Althea Gibson faced financial hardships due to her social class, making it challenging for her to afford training, travel expenses to tournaments, and maintaining a professional tennis career.
4. Social Exclusion: Althea Gibson experienced social exclusion both within and outside the tennis community due to her race and social class. She was often isolated and faced discrimination from her white competitors, spectators, and even some officials. However, her success and determination paved the way for other African-American tennis players, gradually breaking down racial and social barriers.
To delve deeper into this topic, one can explore Althea Gibson's biographies, documentaries, and articles that shed light on her experiences with social class disadvantages and the impact on her life and career.