Chicago Black Sox Scandal Analysis
A convenient feature of the traditional American Western film was the ease with which the viewer could distinguish the good guys from the bad guys: The bad guys wore the black hats. Of course, film directors did not invent this connection between black and evil, but built upon an existing association that extends deep into American culture and language. Americans can be hurt by others by being “blacklisted,” or “blackballed,” or
“blackmailed” (Williams, 1964). When the Chicago White Sox deliberately lost the
1919 World Series as part of a betting scheme, they became known as the Chicago Black
Sox, and to this day the “dark” chapter in American sports history is known as the Black
Sox Scandal. In a similar vein, Muhammad Ali has observed that
“blackmailed” (Williams, 1964). When the Chicago White Sox deliberately lost the
1919 World Series as part of a betting scheme, they became known as the Chicago Black
Sox, and to this day the “dark” chapter in American sports history is known as the Black
Sox Scandal. In a similar vein, Muhammad Ali has observed that