The Kaepernick Effect

Taking a Knee, Changing the World

De: Dave Zirin

Narrado por: Terrence Kidd

In 2016, amid an epidemic of police shootings of African Americans, the celebrated NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began a series of quiet protests on the field, refusing to stand during the US 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 professional athletes across many different sports, 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 is for anyone seeking to understand an essential dimension of the new movement for racial justice in America.

©2021 Dave Zirin (P)2021 Tantor

Resistance Politics

Appreciate the text Dave. So many more directions to explore. When sports & politics collide. Highly recommend the podcasts connected to Zirin including his Edge of Sports podcast and The Collision. Love tracking all the conversations connected to this text. This book will be alive for years if not centuries to come.

Shut up & read. 😁

"It's not politics that they don't want in the sports world. It's a certain kind of politics. It's resistance politics. It's anti-racist politics.The platform athletes enjoy must be used either to sell products, or to mimic the politics of the bosses or a price will be paid. Donald Trump in particular called for athletes to lose their jobs for daring to have anti-racist political opinions. All while he appeared at political rallies with right wing athletes. The rules of the game are clear."

A fresh age of #ResistancePolitics

Great book

I had no idea that there were so many women and men who protested racial injustice based on Colin Kaepernick’s taking a knee. Lots of bravery by these young women and men. It’s ironic that those screaming against these young women and men are desecrating the flag.

And the narrator has a great voice. Great job on a terrific book!

Be consistent

I'm glad I read Kaepernick Effect. Key point on demanding change. Know yourself! Great book.

Fantastic

A book everyone should read. Tough to listen to but really important for society as a whole.