The Proud Jewel of the Eastside: The Drew League and Black Culture in South Central LA

• In Event: Open Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 16: Culture, Meaning, and Everyday Life

Abstract

While the Drew League is technically a summer Pro-Am basketball league that was established in 1973 in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, it functions as a pivotal, yet fading, Black cultural institution that transcends its athletic purpose. Its historic growth came in the midst of an oppressive urban environment that saw demographic shifts, systemic violence, and cultural suppression. This study explores how sports function as a Third Space where culture is preserved by examining the live games through participant observations and utilizes Stuart Hall’s theories of representation to analyze the ways in which the league reflects social dynamics, expresses Black identity, and strengthens community ties. Despite broader marginalization that attempted to dilute Black culture, this study finds that the Drew League upholds cultural heritage, fosters unity, and solidifies cultural memory within the local Black community. Ultimately, the league serves as a powerful testament to the influence of sports on the resilience of cultural identity.

Author

• Drew D. Brown, University of Florida