What is the overarching influence on Black female athletes' self-presentation according to the material?

• A. Marketing demands
• B. Team leadership
• C. Racial ideology
• D. Personal family background

Answer: (C)

Racial ideology is the overarching influence here. It refers to the system of beliefs, stereotypes, and unequal power relations about race that shape how society expects Black women to look, act, and present themselves in sports. This framework permeates media portrayals, public narratives, and professional environments, guiding what is seen as appropriate or desirable in self-presentation. Marketing and branding choices, while influential, flow from these racialized norms, and team leadership and personal background can shape presentation in specific contexts, but they sit within and are constrained by the broader racial ideology.