By Etan Thomas
Akashic Books 2018
320 pages Nonfiction
The Shortlist
I want to give a shout out for a book that has crossed
my desk. We Matter by former professional basketball player, Etan Thomas, is a series of interviews and commentary. Thomas discusses Black athletes and
their activism—from taking a knee during the national anthem to forcing the
University of Missouri president to address racially-charged incidents on
campus. The stories are profound as are the interviews. Thomas’ narrative helps
put the Black Lives Matter movement into the long-term perspective it deserves—how
we got to where we are now.
The book should serve as inspiration to young athletes as
well as the socially and morally conscious who deplore police brutality and discrimination . It
also helps put President Trump’s policies in perspective through the eyes of
the athletes Thomas interviewed.
We Matter closes with two poems
written by Etan Thomas. One is about the impact of Colin Kaepernick on the
culture. The other called “You Matter” is a call for African American youth to
believe that they are important in a culture that disparages them.
But the darkness will come to light
And our strength will surprise you
When your walls come tumbling down just like Confederate statues.
I encourage you to read
this interview with Thomas in the New
York Times and buy the book for those who will value it.
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