Ballers of the New School: Race and Sports in America [Paperback]

Thabiti Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2010

Ballers of the New School is one of the first and best books to come along that effectively explains contemporary athletes and the public response to them.  It asks readers to consider the role of race in the sweaty as well as the sweat-free zones of sport. It challenges the well-worn narrative of sport as America's most significant site of racial progress by scrutinizing the true role of sport in mobilizing and shaping definitions, social relations, and public life.American sport culture performs and propagates rituals, symbols, and expressions of fear and difference that sustain racism, and notions of racial supremacy and block bridges to racial progress. 
 The text encourages a restructuring of the power of the racial subtexts thrust into sporting arenas, upon the bodies of athletes of color, and into the mind and hearts of spectators via the racial contract.  The book's impetus is for readers to emerge with more truthful narratives, more honest dialogues, better American values, better social relations, and hopefully, using this new vision of sports culture as a model, real change.  

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

This book was written for the casual fan, the hardcore fan, athletes, and those in the sports business.  Its goal is to forge a better society and eradicate racial tensions by broaching honest discussions of realities of racism--past and present--in sport culture. 

I tackle these issues throughout nine chapters taking on topics ranging from diversity in positions of power and leadership to the exploitation of amateur athletes and racial stereotypes sustained in contemporary sports films. 

While my analysis, at times, might seem harsh, it is honest and done with the utmost concern and love for a better, more harmonious world.

From the Back Cover

"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 culture, Lewis's Ballers of the New School is a much needed addition to scholarship on race and sports."  --Mark Anthony Neal

"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

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

Black Studies/Social Commentary/Sports Culture
thirdworldpressinc.com

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Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Third World Press (November 30, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883783118
• ISBN-13: 978-0883783115
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #361,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thabiti Lewis is currently an Associate Professor of English at Washington State University Vancouver. He has published widely in the areas of African American literature, African American Studies, and sport and race. His areas of teaching are 20th century American literature, African American literature, Race and Cultural Studies, and Popular Culture.

Dr. Lewis has written for several newspapers, journals, and magazines such as The Source Magazine, Crisis Magazine, NewsOne, The St. Louis American, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Oregon Humanities Magazine, and The Oregonian.

Lewis received his B.A. in English and History (with honors) from the University of Rochester. He also received his M.A.T. (English Education focus) from the University of Rochester. He obtained his Ph.D. in English from Saint Louis University.

He has edited and co-edited special issues of journals (The Willamette Journal and AmeriQuests Journal). In 2012 he will publish the highly anticipated edited book, Conversations with Toni Cade Bambara (University Press of Mississippi).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's about time January 14, 2011

By mat

Format:Paperback

This is a truly wonderful book!!
The subject of race in America is a subject that most would rather not talk about today. Rather than talk about it we just slide it under the category "it (racism)" is over!!! Wrong. In this book by Dr. lewis, he uses sports to talk about race in its new form. While "we" have come a long way, there are still attitudes harbored between differing groups of people simply because of their race, sex, religion etc. The world of sports provides a novel way of examining the problem. Many look at sports as a means of entertainment, relaxation, vicarious living.... and so perhaps this venue may help people more easily recognize some of the injustices regarding the treatment of players vs managers vs coaches etc which also leak into our society.

Dr. Lewis not only combines well researched statistics on sports with his own heartfelt experiences as a youngster who loves sports but provides soloutions to help equalize the playing field in two of the most visible sports for players in America!!!! He is definitely a "Baller". Read the book and see if you too are a Baller...