The Black athlete as hero : American barrier breakers from nine sports / Joseph Dorinson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dorinson, Joseph, 1936- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

African American athletes--Political activity--History.

African American athletes.

Sports--Political aspects--United States--History.

Sports.

African American athletes--Biography.

Heroes--United States--Biography.

Heroes.

African Americans--Social conditions--History.

African Americans.

Racism against Black people--History.

Racism against Black people.

Social classes--United States--History.

Social classes.

United States--Race relations--History.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (308 pages) : illustrations

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, [2022]

Summary:

"Part history, part biography, this study examines the black athlete's search to unify what W.E.B. DuBois called the "two unreconciled strivings" of African Americans--the struggle to survive in black society while adapting to white society. Black athletes have served as vanguards of change, challenging the dominant culture, crossing social boundaries and raising political awareness. Champions like Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Wilma Rudolph, Roberto Clemente, Althea Gibson, Arthur Ashe, Serena Williams, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James make a difference, even as many in the black community question the idea of athletes as role models. The author argues the importance of sports heroes in a panic-plagued era beset with class division and racial privilege"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Cover

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Hero Defined

Section One. Boxing

1. Jack Johnson, Joe Louis, Ray Robinson, and Muhammad Ali

Section Two. Track and Field

2. Jesse Owns, Harrison Dillard and Mal Whitfield, and Rafer Johnson

3. Wilma Rudolph, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the Joyner Connection, and Carl Lewis

Section Three. Football

4. Duke Slater, J. Mayo Williams, and Other Pathbreakers in the College and Pro Ranks

5. Fritz Pollard and Paul Robeson

6. Jim Brown and Black Quarterbacks

Section Four. Baseball

7. Black Players in Baseball Before Integration

8. Jackie Robinson

9. Don Newcombe and Roy Campanella, Monte Irvin and Larry Doby

10. Willie Mays, Ed Charles, Henry Aaron, Frank Robinson, and Ernie Banks

11. Bill White and Curt Flood

12. Minnie Miñoso, Vic Power, and Roberto Clemente

Section Five. Tennis

13. Althea Gibson, Arthur Ashe, Venus and Serena Williams, and Naomi Osaka

Part Six. Basketball

14. The Harlem Renaissance Five

15. Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson

16. Elgin Baylor, Connie Hawkins, and Dr. J

17. Kareem ­Abdul-Jabbar and Earvin "Magic" Johnson

18. Charlie Scott and Michael Jordan

19. LeBron James and Kobe Bryant

20. Ora Washington, Lynette Woodard, Cheryl Miller, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia ­Cooper-Dyke, &amp

Maya Moore

Section 7. Golf, Hockey, Gymnastics

21. Tiger Woods, Willie O'Ree, and Simone Biles

Conclusion

Chapter Notes

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Other Format:

Print version: Dorinson, Joseph The Black Athlete As Hero

ISBN:

9781476645964

OCLC:

1351201083