Black History Projects on the Harlem Globetrotters

Known for their deft ball handling, no-look passes, circus shots and playful attitudes, the Harlem Globetrotters have traveled the world entertaining audiences with their style of basketball. Formed in 1926 by Chicago businessman Abe Saperstein, the Globetrotters began performing as a promotion for the dances that followed their games. The Globetrotters have a rich team history that gives students looking for a black history project topic multiple options to choose from.

  1. The Early Years

    • The Globetrotters traveled in a Model T.

      The Globetrotters began touring the Great Lakes states in 1927 by cramming themselves into Saperstein's Ford Model T. Exploring the conditions an African American team traveling with a Jewish owner faced during the 1930s could provide a interesting topic for a black history research paper. Examining the types of segregation the team faced while traveling, how they were treated by white audiences and if racism kept them from playing in certain cities would provide your paper with plenty of subjects to explore.

    Globetrotters vs Lakers

    • The Globetrotters competed against all-white teams.

      In 1949, the Globetrotters defeated the defending Basketball Association of America (the precursor to the NBA) champion Minneapolis Lakers, a team that featured basketball great George Mikan, for a second consecutive year. Writing a speech about the impact an all African American Globetrotters team had on changing perspectives about the capability of black players in professional and major collegiate sports by defeating an all white Lakers team could explore the Globetrotters impact on helping to segregate basketball.

    Globetrotters on TV

    • The Globetrotters have been criticized for their clownish behavior.

      During the late 60s and early 70s, the Globetrotters starred in several of their own Saturday morning cartoon series and had a live-action musical variety show called "The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine". The Globetrotters' clownish attitudes during games brought them criticism during the Civil Rights Movement for pandering to white stereotypes. A multimedia presentation that assembled clips of the different Globetrotters series could examine whether these accusations had merit or if the team represented itself with appropriate humor.

    Globetrotter Diversity

    • Women and men have both played for the Globetrotters.

      Over the years, Globetrotter teams have featured black, white and Hispanic players of both sexes. Jesse Jackson, Henry Kissinger, Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II have all been made honorary Globetrotters. As an organization that has promoted equality and diversity, the Globetrotters have chosen to lead by example in welcoming all cultures into their ranks. A paper that examined what effects this kind of positive diversity had on young fans of the Globetrotters growing up could determine if the team was successful as an example of cross culturalism.