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More Than a Game: Race, Gender, and Politics in Sports
Sports has never been only about what takes place on the playing field. Author and sports fan Matt Doeden explores past and current controversies including black boxer Jack Johnson's fight with the "Great White Hope" Tommy Burns, Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier, Muhammad Ali's refusal to fight in the Vietnam War, Colin Kaepernick's protests, #MeToo and the US gymnastics team, and much more. Doeden weaves in information about Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, Black Lives Matter, and other essential background young readers will need. This book is sure to engage everyone interested in sports, history, and civil rights.
64 pages, Library Binding
First published September 5, 2019
3 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Matt Doeden
421Ìýbooks24ÌýfollowersMatt Doeden was born in southern Minnesota and lived parts of his childhood in Golden Valley, Minnesota, and Madison, Minnesota. He studied journalism at Mankato State University, where he worked at the college newspaper for three years. In his senior year, he served as the paper's Sports Editor, which put him in charge of the entire sports section, the sports writers, and the photographers. He covered mostly college sports, but also the Minnesota Vikings, who held training camp at MSU.
His work allowed him to meet and interview people like Dennis Green, Cris Carter, Robert Smith, and more. Matt went on to work as a sports writer for the Mankato paper, and then he got a job as an editor with a small children's publisher called Capstone Press, and in 2003 he decided to start his own business as a freelance writer and editor.
Since then, Matt has written and edited hundreds of books. Lots of them are on high-interest topics like cars, sports, and airplanes. He also writes and edits on geography, science, and even math.
His work allowed him to meet and interview people like Dennis Green, Cris Carter, Robert Smith, and more. Matt went on to work as a sports writer for the Mankato paper, and then he got a job as an editor with a small children's publisher called Capstone Press, and in 2003 he decided to start his own business as a freelance writer and editor.
Since then, Matt has written and edited hundreds of books. Lots of them are on high-interest topics like cars, sports, and airplanes. He also writes and edits on geography, science, and even math.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 8, 2020
More Than a Game: Race, Gender, and Politics in Sports by Matt Doeden, 64 pages. NON-FICTION. Millbrook, 2020. $26.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS � ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Divided into three chapters as suggested by the subtitle, this book introduces the reader to some historical and current events that illustrate how sports in the U.S. intersect with race, gender, and politics. The first chapter moves from the Great White Hope to Black Lives Matter, and includes some American Indian and Muslim stories too. The second chapter covers the fight for equality for women athletes, and also touches upon fights for equality for gay and transgender athletes, and issues related to the MeToo movement. The last chapter includes examples of sports being used as a platform both to protest against war as well as to express patriotism.
Current events can be challenging to understand. By using the lens of sports, a subject that many kids are familiar with and interested in, this author encourages readers to reflect on some complicated issues in our society. Though this volume is relatively thin, and thus only lightly touches upon some very complicated issues, it provides a place for students to begin. Some of the book’s topics may make it more appropriate for a middle-school setting. Interspersed among the text are many engaging full-page photos, and the back matter includes source notes, glossary, selected bibliography, and index.
P.K.Foster, MLS, school librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS � ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Divided into three chapters as suggested by the subtitle, this book introduces the reader to some historical and current events that illustrate how sports in the U.S. intersect with race, gender, and politics. The first chapter moves from the Great White Hope to Black Lives Matter, and includes some American Indian and Muslim stories too. The second chapter covers the fight for equality for women athletes, and also touches upon fights for equality for gay and transgender athletes, and issues related to the MeToo movement. The last chapter includes examples of sports being used as a platform both to protest against war as well as to express patriotism.
Current events can be challenging to understand. By using the lens of sports, a subject that many kids are familiar with and interested in, this author encourages readers to reflect on some complicated issues in our society. Though this volume is relatively thin, and thus only lightly touches upon some very complicated issues, it provides a place for students to begin. Some of the book’s topics may make it more appropriate for a middle-school setting. Interspersed among the text are many engaging full-page photos, and the back matter includes source notes, glossary, selected bibliography, and index.
P.K.Foster, MLS, school librarian
October 28, 2023
On behalf of YA readers author Doeden tackles the topics listed in the title. He begins with the story of former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who ruins his career by taking a knee to protest, in general, how black people are mistreated by police. It sets the tone for the entire book. Doeden is straightforward enough to cite proof that author Jack London is racist when he publicly exhorts white boxer Jeff Jeffries to beat black boxer Jack Johnson, calling the latter the Great White Hope (an affront I was unaware of). Speaking of one of the two black athletes to raise their arms in protest in the 1964 Olympics, Doeden quotes John Carlos: “I felt my country was traveling at a snail’s pace toward something that should be obvious to all people of good will� (23). The author also tells the story of changes in sports regarding women and trans people. He shares information about the #MeToo movement, yet protects YA readers from salacious details of adult crimes committed against young women. The page and a half devoted to boxer Muhammad Ali is a complete and fair profile that readers can understand. The book is published before the Washington Redskins team finally drops the latter as its mascot and becomes the Commanders. How any sensible adult could ban this book is beyond me. The author bends over backward to be fair and present both “sides� neutrally.
Alert: The state of Texas has banned over 900 YA books from public school libraries, and this title is one that appears on the list. I purchased the book, and, having reviewed it above, believe the Lubbock City County Libraries should have it on their shelves. I plan to present this copy to the LCCL libraries in hopes that librarians will catalog it and make it available to readers. If they don’t, I will question librarians as to why. In any case, I intend for the book to end up in a place where young people can access it (Little Free Libraries, for one). It is an endeavor I hope more and more adults will take up on behalf of our young readers, who can’t protect themselves from the state government’s misguided efforts to censor what all children read.
Alert: The state of Texas has banned over 900 YA books from public school libraries, and this title is one that appears on the list. I purchased the book, and, having reviewed it above, believe the Lubbock City County Libraries should have it on their shelves. I plan to present this copy to the LCCL libraries in hopes that librarians will catalog it and make it available to readers. If they don’t, I will question librarians as to why. In any case, I intend for the book to end up in a place where young people can access it (Little Free Libraries, for one). It is an endeavor I hope more and more adults will take up on behalf of our young readers, who can’t protect themselves from the state government’s misguided efforts to censor what all children read.
January 29, 2020
This book provides a short, jam-packed overview of the athletes who fought for inclusion and equality in sports. Aside from ruining my opinion of author Jack London (which, admittedly needed to happen given that man's racist comments) I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned a great deal. One of most important takeaways for my students is that Colin Kaepernick was not the first athlete to protest inequality on the field - far from it!
The author provides multiple examples across history of mostly US athletes who broke the color and gender barriers in sports, protested at the Olympics, served their country at the expense of their careers and lives, and paved the way forward for equality in the country and for the future of their sports.
This book is a must for any sports fan. The full-sized colored images and short biographies will keep everyone interested and entertained from middle school on up. This book will spark wonderful questions and discussions. It would be the perfect read for a team book club or for families who want to have a discussion about their favorite teams or sports or about equality and civil rights in America.
Maybe our athletes are worth more than their "simple" athletic ability. Maybe they can do more than just "Shut Up and Dribble" and certainly they should.
The author provides multiple examples across history of mostly US athletes who broke the color and gender barriers in sports, protested at the Olympics, served their country at the expense of their careers and lives, and paved the way forward for equality in the country and for the future of their sports.
This book is a must for any sports fan. The full-sized colored images and short biographies will keep everyone interested and entertained from middle school on up. This book will spark wonderful questions and discussions. It would be the perfect read for a team book club or for families who want to have a discussion about their favorite teams or sports or about equality and civil rights in America.
Maybe our athletes are worth more than their "simple" athletic ability. Maybe they can do more than just "Shut Up and Dribble" and certainly they should.
April 6, 2020
This book hits every target: Non-fiction for young readers, easy enough to understand and deep enough to give meaning.
I'm not a sports fan - at all. But I wanted to read this for my students who are and I'm so thankful I did. The book starts with the admirable actions of Colin Kaepernick and the ignorant consequences. After that lead, the author takes us back to the Olympics, MLB, NFL, Tennis, and more.
Even though I'm still not a sports gal, I am opposed to racism and sexism. This helps me know why I fight it.
I'm not a sports fan - at all. But I wanted to read this for my students who are and I'm so thankful I did. The book starts with the admirable actions of Colin Kaepernick and the ignorant consequences. After that lead, the author takes us back to the Olympics, MLB, NFL, Tennis, and more.
Even though I'm still not a sports gal, I am opposed to racism and sexism. This helps me know why I fight it.
October 28, 2019
Short, fast, detailed read regarding discrimination of levels in the sports world and the effects on our society. This book is current and extremely relevant, and I can't wait to get it in some young readers' hands.
September 27, 2019
Concise review of the bigotry that has affected sports as much as it has our country.
Read
October 13, 2019Terrific overview of a variety of issues in sports. Of course I wanted more information on just about every anecdote. That's what further reading is for.
June 5, 2020
Well-presented overview of major sports figures who have fought for racial and gender justice in sports as well as others who've taken political stands despite risks to their own careers. Good for research, browsing, and for leading to more detailed biographies.
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