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Thursday, March 8, 2018

We Matter: Athletes and Activism


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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