The Kaepernick Effect: Taking a Knee, Changing the World
Tuesday September 21
from 7-8:30 p.m. CDT
The Progressiveand A Room of One's Own bookstore present
a book release event with author Dave Zirin and his new book: The Kaepernick Effect: Taking a Knee, Changing the World
In 2016, amid a rash of police shootings of African Americans, celebrated NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began a series of quiet protests on the field, refusing to stand during the U.S. national anthem. By “taking a knee,” Kaepernick bravely joined a long tradition of American athletes making powerful political statements. This time, however, Kaepernick’s simple act spread like wildfire throughout American society, becoming the preeminent symbol of resistance to America’s persistent racial inequality.
Critically acclaimed sports journalist and author of A People’s History of Sports in the United States, Dave Zirin chronicles “the Kaepernick effect” for the first time, through interviews with a broad cross-section of people across many different sports; professional athletes, college stars, and high-powered athletic directors, and high school athletes and coaches. In each case, he uncovers the fascinating explanations and motivations behind a mass political movement in sports, through deeply personal and inspiring accounts of risk-taking, activism, and courage both on and off the field.
A book about the politics of sport, and the impact of sports on politics, The Kaepernick Effect: Taking a Knee, Changing the World (New Press) is for anyone seeking to understand an essential dimension of the new movement for racial justice in America. Zirin will be joined in conversation by Bill Lueders, editor of The Progressive magazine.
Since 1909, The Progressive has aimed to amplify voices of dissent and those under-represented in the mainstream, with a goal of championing grassroots progressive politics. Our bedrock values are nonviolence and freedom of speech. For more information and great articles, please visit www.progressive.org.
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