"Ballers of the New School is indeed an apropos title for Thabiti Lewis's challenging and innovative take on a new generation of black athletes. Punctuated with striking candor and an adroit understanding of contemporary popular cuture, Lewis's Ballers of the New School is a much needed addition to scholarship on race and sports." --Mark Anthony Neal, author of New Black Man.
"Coming out of nowhere like a Mike Tyson uppercut, Thabiti Lewis's Ballers of the New School is a shock to the system. Rarely has the intersection of sports and race and race-ISM been discussed with such bracing honesty, such generosity and such anger born of love. It's an absolute stunner." --Dave Zirin, author of A People's History of Sports in the United States.
Ballers of the New School is a timely and important work. At once a scholarly triumph, powerful social critique, and moving personal story, it challenges readers to set aside received wisdom that sports are the epitome of racial harmony and progress and reflect seriously on structures of racial inequality and how African Americans have struggled against them. Lewis is to be commended for pairing a penetrating critical analysis with an impassioned call for action directed at players, gatekeepers, and fans." --Richard King, Washington State University, Ethnic Studies Chairman --Book Jacket.
Contents divided into four sections: pregame, first half, second half, postgame.
Bibliography (note)
Includes bibliographical references (p. 281-292) and index.
Processing Action (note)
committed to retain
Contents
Race and sport in America -- A letter to my cousin -- Ballers in contemporary America -- Original ballers and new school ballers -- Where the brothers and sisters at? -- Bib pimpin' in amateur sport -- All about the Benjamins! -- The making of man in American sports films -- Average Joes, complacency, politics, and sports -- Challenging all ballers.