In 2020, 74.25% of the players in the National Basketball Association were Black, 16.95 were White, 2.2% were Hispanic, and 0.4% were Asian (all self-identified). 

(a) These percentages do not match the percentages of these racial/ethnic groups present in either the U.S. population or the world population. Is this evidence of economic discrimination? Why or why not? 

(b) Should the NBA strive to field teams that mirror the population of the U.S.? That reflect the fans in the stands who buy tickets? Those who watch on TV or wear their shirts? Explain why or why not. 

(c) Suppose we are not talking about the NBA but instead our focus in the work force at Newport New Shipbuilding. Should its workforce reflect the population of Newport News? Of Hampton Roads? Of Virginia? Of the U.S.? Of workers deemed to be "qualified?" 

(d) Now, having answered (a), (b), and (c), what should qualify as illegal discrimination in the NBA's workforce or in the workforce of Newport News Shipbuilding? I.e., what differences between workforces and populations should be OK and which should be illegal?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

a The racialethnic composition of the NBA player population does not necessarily reflect economic discrimination The overrepresentation of Black players and underrepresentation of other racialethnic g... View the full answer