The Kaepernick Effect: Taking a Knee, Changing the World

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Description

Riveting and inspiring first-person stories of how taking a knee triggered a political awakening among athletes of all ages and levels, from the celebrated sportswriter

With profiles of courage that leap of the page, Zirin uncovers a whole national movement of citizen-athletes fighting for racial justice.
Stamped from the Beginning

Hailed by Publishers Weekly in a starred review as an enthralling look at the impact of peaceful protest by sports figures at the high school, college, and professional levels, The Kaepernick Effect explores the story of how quarterback Colin Kaepernicks simple act of taking a knee spread like wildfire throughout American society, becoming the preeminent public symbol of resistance to Americas persistent racial inequality.

In this powerful book, critically acclaimed sports journalist and author Dave Zirin chronicles the Kaepernick effect for the first time, through a riveting collection of first-person stories (The Nation) from high school athletes and coaches, college stars and high-powered athletic directors, and professional athletes across many different sportsfrom Megan Rapinoe to Michael Bennett. In each case, he uncovers the fascinating explanations and motivations behind what became a mass political movement in sports.

Necessary reading for all, especially those who want to make a difference in promoting social justice, equity, and inclusion, and end police brutality (Library Journal, starred review), The Kaepernick Effect is for anyone seeking to get involved in the new movement for racial justice in America: Take a knee, everyone, and start a revolution (Kirkus Reviews).

Reviews

Praise for The Kaepernick Effect:
A collection of compelling stories that put the reader at the center of the tumultuous, frightening, and stirring protests for racial justice that, when put together, reveal the ways taking a knee transformed sports and the broader society. . . . [An] extraordinary book.
Jesse Hagopian, The Progressive

An enthralling look at the impact of peaceful protest by sports figures at the high school, college, and professional levels . . . offers rousing evidence of the life-changing effects spurred by individual action.
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Take a knee, everyone, and start a revolution. . . . A thoughtful anecdotal study of protest in our time.
Kirkus Reviews

An insightful book about the wide-reaching effects of Kaepernicks protests. This book is highly recommended and is necessary reading for all, especially those who want to make a difference in promoting social justice, equity, and inclusion, and end police brutality.
Library Journal (starred review)

Zirin continues to mine gold from that place where sports and politics meet. . . . A thoughtful take on what remains a complicated, highly charged issue.
Booklist

The Kaepernick Effect stands alone in capturing the true impact of the former quarterbacks peaceful protest, which was to inspire a generation. Zirins interviews with athletes of all ages are meticulous and fascinating, cementing Kaepernicks status as one of the most significant athletes in American history.
Mina Kimes, ESPN

Dave Zirin hits the bulls-eye with this textured examination of the man behind the movement and the movement inspired by the man.
Sekou Smith,NBA TV/NBA.com senior analyst

WithThe Kaepernick EffectDaveZirin has offered us a gift: a powerful chronicle of the national uprising inspired by the Movement for Black Lives in the world of sport. This will be the go-to text on athlete activism for years to come.
Frank Andre Guridy, author of The Sports Revolution: How Texas Changed the Culture of American Athletics

In this captivating book, Zirin puts into sharp relief the activist potential of young athletes, and how they can serve as dismantlers of intersectional oppression.
Kimberl Crenshaw, co-founder and executive director, African American Policy Forum

Sharp and illuminating and a joy to read, Zirins analysis of events is unparalleled for its clarity and force. This book has been missing from our understanding of the current political moment; Zirin has filled the void.
Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, authorFrom #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation

Dave Zirin . . . allows those influenced by Colin Kaepernick to explain why America wasnt ready for himbut needed him to show how far we are from where we should want to be as a nation.
Michael Lee, sports enterprise writer, The Washington Post

Across decades, Zirin has been a guide, machete-slicing through the thicket of marketing and mythologizing in sports to get fans closer to the uncomfortable truths. From the right side of history, intent on fairness and justice, he has been warning us about the liars, thieves, hypocrites, and grifters hiding in plain sight in Americas playpen. He has an uncommon grasp of his subject matter, a sculptors attention to detail and a historians expertise, and the combination is worthy of your applause. Kaepernicks work will echo over the years. So, too, will Zirins.
Dan Le Batard

When I think about Dave Zirins body of work, which I do a lot, honesty and integrity always come first to mind. He challenges you to think, and think carefully, about any and all assumptions you might have. You hear a lot these days about the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone. Well, Zirin has always been there to help with that. The Kaepernick Effect is a perfect marriage of author and subject.
Jonathan Coleman, author of Long Way to Go: Black and White in America

A powerful testimonial. Lessons in civic courage leap from every page as we see these amazing athletes risk everything to change this country and help set the stage for the racial reckoning we now face. Read this book and be inspired to fight for a new America!
Eddie S. Glaude Jr., author ofBegin Again: James Baldwins America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own

How many Black people have to die at the hands of racist cops before white America listens to those voices The Kaepernick Effect needs to be read by those who continue to deny racism and police brutality.
Chris Lamb, co-author of Sports Journalism: A History of Glory, Fame, and Technology

Author Bio

One of UTNE Readers 50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Our World, Dave Zirin is a columnist for The Nation, SLAM Magazine, and The Progressive. His many books include A Peoples History of Sports in the United States, Game Over, and Bad Sports (all published by The New Press). Host of Sirius XMs popular weekly showEdge of Sports Radio and a regular guest on MSNBC, CNN, and ESPN, he lives near Washington, DC.