The role of sports in Americanizing immigrants has been written about extensively by historians and journalists. Professional boxing and baseball, both of which achieved heightened popularity at the dawn of the twentieth century, became important vehicles by which waves of immigrants marked their progress in American society. Historians have continued to argue that the United States has used sports as a way to “Americanize” immigrants.
Why do you think sports are an effective way of integrating immigrants to American culture? Which sports do you think are the most American? Are there any other ways in which sports provide cultural value?
