A Look at Recent Cases of Discrimination in the Horse Racing Industry
There is a culture of bullying in the horseback industry. But you, like most people, don’t know the extent, as it is not covered by the mainstream media. Inequity is a popular subject in different corners of the world. Age bias, bullying, and systemic prejudice plague the horseracing industry. In this article, we will discuss cases of discrimination and inequality among jockeys to examine their effect on the industry.
Examining Recent Cases of Discrimination in Horse Racing
Prejudice in the industry is subtle. Victims don’t hear slurs, and they are not excluded from shows and barns. As a result, you won’t hear about a confrontation in the media. But Black men and women have experienced stings of inequity in their interaction with colleagues and stakeholders.
Recently, notable equestrians have started speaking out, although views remain largely divided. Many individuals have pointed out systemic barriers designed to keep Black People out of the industry. On the other hand, others have simply dismissed their concerns by singling money as the only barrier. They effectively ignore issues contributing to the gap. Interestingly, sharing your experience comes at a risk. Former Trainer Pam Webber’s case is an excellent example.
The incident of Pam Webber – An Aussie Trainer
Webber filed a lawsuit in the NSW Supreme Court against Racing NSW and its CEO. It was for alleged inequity, restraint of trade, and oppressive conduct. In 2012, she fell off a racehorse and suffered spinal injuries. As a result, she has been unable to work since. Webber filed a worker’s compensation claim, but Racing NSW rejected it. She then spent the next 46 months embattled in a court trial with the organization. Although the court ruled in her favor, the organization decided not to renew her trainer’s license as punishment.
After battling segregation and hardship, NSW pulled the rug from under her. Of course, the organization made up a story about why she was not renewed. But it only highlights the abuse predominant in the industry. Not to worry, we will shed light on cases that have missed the public eye. Lots of such cases over the span of years have been described in the essay examples one can get from PapersOwl.com and format your essay on discrimination. Professors give animal science students related assignments, and an essay about discrimination in the animal industry can form a part of your term paper.
The incident of Uriah St. Lewis
Lewis has spent the last 30 years making sure he does the right thing out of fear the organization would make an example out of him. The grade 1-winning trainer explained that track organizations had forcibly scratched his steed to make it seem like something was wrong with it. Like Palmer, Lewis confessed that if you fight them, they punish you.
Lewis goes out with a white lady, who would stay near him with a cell phone like she’s taking pictures, so the vets don’t abuse his steed. The reason is that they often mess with his legs, so he looks a little off. According to St Lewis, various Black trainers face prejudice. At a recent Belmont Part meet, they put him and a fellow grade 1 winner, Charlie Baker, in the same barn 43. In contrast, horses belonging to white counterparts go into the holding barn for a minute, while the two of them have to walk 30 – 45 minutes to get to their barn. Not only this, but his stall limit is 25, whereas a white guy gets 30 stalls.
The incident of Luis Grandison
Louis Grandison filed a discrimination and equal pay lawsuit against the New York Racing Association. The Black Latino Man is the first full-time Spanish Language announcer in the United States of America. In his lawsuit, he complained the NYRA pays him less than half as much as his white, English-speaking colleagues. This violates the federal and state anti-discrimination and equal pay act.
Grandison earned $60,000 compared to Tom Durkin’s $440,000, and Larry Collmus received over $200,000 before they both left the job. Unlike them, Grandison worked during winter months and had more duties like presenting on the company’s YouTube channel and posting on Facebook. He approached his supervisor and produced evidence of his claim. The company furloughed him in March 2020 and terminated his employment in June.
Running Towards Justice: Confronting Discrimination and Inequality in Horse Racing
Horseback riding was not part of traditional African culture. The sport began when it was introduced to slaves at plantations and became a recreational activity at night. Eventually, they started participating in American horse racing. Between 1890 and 1899, Black American equestrians won the Kentucky Derby six times. But by the early 1900s, they were history. And if anything, we know those who don’t pay attention to history will repeat it.
One reason why racial inequity in the industry has gone under the radar for so long is the lack of inclusion and insufficient marketing toward minorities. Black equestrians don’t hold leadership positions in the industry. There is also little marketing to increase their coverage. Companies like Sprite and McDonald’s strategically market African-Americans in the NBA. It makes people comfortable with their brand and associate with them. The racing association can adopt a similar strategy.
Another reason people of color are sidelined is the lack of Black riders as role models. As a young jockey, Britney Chambers recalled not having a Black role model. As a result, the executive team could focus on inclusion and diversity across different levels. The reason why you don’t see Black jockeys is simply that there is an invisible ceiling stopping them. Penetrate it to make things more accessible.
Some ways to break the barrier include offering apprenticeships to Blacks, outreach programs to recruit veterinarians, and exposing young people from different backgrounds to horses and new ideas.
A Closer Look at Discrimination and Racism in Horse Racing Today
The reason most people don’t know about the active exclusion of Blacks in the industry is that most stories have largely been untold. Despite the celebrity status Black Jockeys enjoyed in the past, they were banned, and no Black has participated in the Kentucky Derby between 1921 and 2000.
In 2016, the Calgary Stampede had only two Blacks out of 120 competitors. It is a function of systemic prejudice. Like other aspects of society, African Americans will continue to be victims of inequity until we do something about it.
Conclusion
Inequity in the industry is still widespread throughout the country. But thankfully, people are becoming more aware of the situation. Movements like Black Lives Matter brought awareness to the lack of diversity in various industries. But genuine inclusion means a cultural change. Everyone must identify implicit bias and replace stereotypes to include people from different races and groups. Increase representation of black racers at shows and in magazines and advertisements and break the barrier of intimidation.
