Taking a Knee, Taking a Stand
African American Athletes and the Fight for Social Justice
by Bob Schron
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Pub Date Mar 19 2020 | Archive Date Jun 03 2020
Charlesbridge | Imagine
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Description
Muhammad Ali refused to fight in a war he believed was immoral. Wilma Rudolph retired from track and field to campaign for civil rights. Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to draw attention to the oppression of black bodies. Taking a Knee, Taking a Stand tells their stories and the stories of other prominent African American male and female athletes who often risked their careers to fight racial discrimination and promote social justice.
From Jackie Robinson breaking the color line in major league baseball to NBA great Bill Russell sitting at the feet of Dr. Martin Luther King at the 1963 March on Washington to Althea Gibson asserting her tennis dominance at a time when many clubs would not allow African Americans to play on their courts, this moving and celebratory history shows how the tradition of black protest in sports has been consistent, necessary, and organic, and that the present crisis of misunderstanding and intolerance demands that this tradition continue as the country struggles toward fairness and equity.
Advance Praise
“The history of black athletes using their prominence to take principled stands is long and admirable. In Taking a Knee, Taking a Stand, Bob Schron provides a thoughtful and comprehensive look at that history.” --Bob Costas, Emmy-award-winning broadcaster
“At a time when African Americans in sports have been leaders in the quest for a more just and equitable nation, Bob Schron has written a fluent and knowledgeable history of their political activism over nearly a century. This book is a valuable addition to the smart sports fan’s bookshelf.” --Samuel G. Freedman Professor, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism Author of Breaking the Line: The Season in Black College Football That Transformed the Sport and Changed the Course of Civil Rights.
“Taking a Knee, Taking a Stand is not just a book. It’s a history lesson documenting the courageous path athletes from yesteryear to today have traveled in the name of social justice and racial equality. For more than a century, sports and politics have intersected, helping to shape this great country of ours. From Jesse Owens to Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick and LeBron James, athletes have put their reputations and in some cases lives on the line to make a difference. Bob Schron does an excellent job detailing the impact of those social justice warriors, and why it’s still just as important today for athletes to take a stand, instead of ‘just shutting up and dribbling’.” --Kyle Draper, NBC Sports
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Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781623545376 |
| PRICE | $24.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 192 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Kristin J, Reviewer
This is one of those books that needs to be read, whether or not one is into sports. Taking a Knee, Taking a Stand covers a lot of ground in terms of social justice and racism with a main focus on sports, from Jesse Owens to Colin Kaepernick and a lot inbetween. It also covers intersectional issues, such as womens rights and LGBT+ in some of the stories. The book is a history lesson as well as telling stories of injustice and social justice warriors.
Megan B, Librarian
This is a really important book to counter the idea that athletes shouldn't speak up about issues or do anything other than play sports. He talks about athletes in the past who took a stand as while as current athletes such as LeBron James and Colin Kaepernick.
Douglas D, Reviewer
This book talks a lot about the history of racism. There are many stories in the book you may never have heard about or understood when it was happening as to the true meaning behind the stance that these athletes took. A good book to read.
Kathleen N, Librarian
Keep the conversation going.
This is an excellent short read on the impact civil rights issues have on organized sports, and vice versa. The day Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem is not the first time American athletes have fought for civil rights and it will certainly not be the last. Many big names who have come before sought to change their communities and desegregate the gaps in their chosen sports. Taking a Knee, Taking a Stand offers a great overview of past and present issues noticed and addressed by American athletes, especially related to the Black Lives Matter movement. Also, a pleasant find to my researcher heart, ten pages of resources and credits help to go further into the topics covered by each chapter.
Sarah-Hope P, Educator
Taking a Knee, Taking a Stand offers an excellent introduction African American athletes' fight for social justice. In twelve chapters, Bob Schron provides profiles of a range of athletes, beginning with Jesse Owens and Joe Lewis and ending with Colin Kaepernick. Because the book surveys the lives of a number of African American athlete-activists, none of the portraits goes into great detail—but Schorn keeps his focus on activism, so the portraits of even well-known figures provide readers with new information. He discusses the evolution of activist "styles" over time and makes connections across generations and across different sports.
Once you've read Taking a Knee, Taking a Stand, you'll have your own, personal list of individuals and topics you want to investigate further and will be able to move on to those with a solid grounding in the last 100 years of activism by African American athletes. Schron's writing style is straightforward and welcoming, making this a good title, not just for those interested in athletics or activism, but for any reader. This is a great book to keep in mind when you are buying holiday or birthday presents.
I received a free electronic review copy of this book from the publisher via Net Galley. The opinions are my own.
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