Triple Consciousness: The Intersection of Athletes’ Identities

College StudentsAnxietyBiasesChildren & Teens

Mar 6

The concept of “double consciousness” was first introduced by W.E.B Dubois in the early 1900s. It proposes the idea that Black men were (and still are) at war with the idea of being American while also being Black. This question arises of how can you stay true to who you are as a Black individual while doing what is necessary to conform to white culture for the sake of survival?

Double and Triple Consciousness

The existence of a double consciousness implies the possibility of a triple, or even quadruple, consciousness as a direct response to intersectionality. The theory of triple consciousness was first created by Black feminists scholars, inspired by W.E.B Dubois. This was coined to specifically address navigating what it means to view oneself through the lens of being a woman, Black, and living in America. This double consciousness is no longer limited to solely Black people, but to all people of color, because existing in America as a minority group can require an identity shift.

Intersecting Identities

There is another alternative theory of triple consciousness, less well known, and it is to view oneself as an athlete, American, and Black. This recognition of how intersecting identities and the role they play in being an Athlete is a concept that is continuing to evolve and gain traction. This theory also extends to people of color and arguably the idea of the fourth consciousness could be applied to female athletes.

Being an athlete can at times require a level of commitment that can pit you up against the other parts of your identity. It can be challenging to be a student, peer, daughter, brother, etc. to your family and friends while simultaneously playing the same roles on a team under a coach. It can require a lot of you and that is the relevancy of this triple consciousness, or intersectionality. You are never just an athlete because you are also a woman or hispanic or Asian or Black. Recognizing and creating space for these parts of yourself are important.

When we look at certain sports, such as the majority of winter sports (hockey, snowboarding, skiing) or other sports like lacrosse or field hockey it is important to acknowledge that these are predominantly white spaces. They are expensive sports to participate in, both in time and money. When people of color show up in these spaces to perform, there can be an added level of pressure. Not only are they showing up as an athlete, they can oftentimes be forced into a space as a spokesperson for their race or culture. There is an implicit sense of pressure that if they don’t succeed or perform at their best, not only will they let their teammates down but they let down everyone who looks like them.

Racial and ethnic minorities are told from the time that they are young, whether explicitly by family or implicitly by the American system, that they have to work at least 2x times harder than their white counterparts on an unlevel playing field. This sentiment does not stop in the classroom; it persists on the field, in the gym, in the stadiums. To be an athlete of color, especially in a white dominated sport, means everything you do has to be that much better than your teammates. To be an athlete of color means to make a statement simply by existing in that sport. We look at important names like Chloe Kim (Snowboarding), Gabby Douglas (Gymnastics), the Thomspon brothers (Lacrosse), the Williams sisters (Tennis), and not only are they just good, they were/are the best at their sport because they had to be. And by simply being good at their sport they became spokespersons for others that looked like them because that is the responsibility of being an athlete of color.

Mental Health and Sports

When conversations about mental health in sports take place, are we creating space to talk about the roles race and ethnicity can play? So many times we miss the “obvious”: the feelings of loneliness, the overtraining, the anxiety of a responsibility they did not choose.

For coaches and caretakers: How are you showing up for your athletes of color? In what ways are you empowering the voices of your players? Create a safe space for your athletes of color to share their thoughts and expectations. Continue to educate yourself on a variety of perspectives and viewpoints.

For athletes: How can you develop a support system? How do you find community? If you’re in school or higher education, there is a likelihood they have clubs for ethnic minorities where you find connections. The team does not need to be your sole source of friendship and companionship.

Being an athlete is just one part of your identity and it is important to acknowledge and nurture the other parts. Take time to explore these parts of you and how they interact. Speaking with peers, teammates, or even a therapist can be a great way to verbalize and work through any thoughts or emotions that may arise.

If you’re an athlete in Maryland, and this article resonated with you, feel free to reach out if you are looking for mental health support.

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