Black U.S. Military Affiliated Perspectives on Sport Media's Coverage of Racial Representation and Athlete Activism.

This study examines how Black individuals affiliated with the U.S. military perceive nationalism and racism within the context of contemporary sport activism, particularly focusing on the protests initiated by NFL player Colin Kaepernick. Through interviews with ten Black military-affiliated sport fans, three main themes emerged: a strong commitment to protecting freedom of speech, divergent views on the appropriateness of kneeling during the national anthem as a form of protest, and a keen awareness of new and color-blind racism in sport media coverage. The findings reveal the complex navigation of intersecting identities—military service and racial identity—highlighting tensions between upholding patriotic military values and recognizing systemic racial inequities. This research contributes to understanding how Black military members reconcile their roles as protectors of national ideals with their experiences and perceptions of racial injustice in sports and society.