The first time Brandon Wallace saw the intersection of sports, society and politics was during his childhood in Wisconsin, when his white friends theorized that Black people had an extra muscle in their leg—believing that explained why they were “naturally” better at sports. Eventually, they asked Wallace, who is biracial, if he had an extra muscle in just one of his legs.

That early moment would foreshadow the focus of his career. On July 8, 2025, Wallace, an assistant professor of cinema and media studies at Indiana University, delivered a lecture to students in the High School Journalism Institute about the deep connection between sports and politics. He explained how sports can serve both as a platform for activism and as a tool for those in power to promote certain ideas.

Wallace believes that sport is inherently political. However, he says the nature of sports makes people less likely to recognize political messaging—leaving them more vulnerable to subtle propaganda.

“When we watch the news, we mentally prepare ourselves for political messaging,” Wallace said. “But when we watch sports, we don’t come into it with the same critical mindset.”

He argues that the same issues present in broader society are mirrored in the sports world. One example Wallace pointed to is the myth of the Black athlete—a stereotype rooted in racial prejudice, suggesting that Black people are naturally more athletic or physically gifted.

Wallace discussed how these racial dynamics show up in media narratives. “Black quarterbacks … their success is often attributed to their running, or their physicality, or their natural athleticism,” he said. “Whereas for white quarterbacks, their success is often attributed to their intellect, their leadership, their work ethic.”

Recently, Wallace began working on a book titled Beyond a Kneel: How Social Movements Harness the Power – and Problems – of Sport. The book explores the relationship between sports, politics, and society, drawing from Wallace’s own experiences—including his time working with Know Your Rights Camp, an organization that educates Black communities about their rights and empowers the next generation.