Souled Out? How Blacks Are Winning and Losing in Sports

By Shaun Powell

Book Overview

Souled Out? That's the question author Shaun Powell poses and ultimately answers with regard to the nature of blacks' participation in American sports. Neither blacks nor whites--athletes, coaches, administrators, owners, media, parents, and yes, even fans--are without blame for race still being an issue in the athletic arena. And Powell, perhaps like you, is fed up with the excuses. Souled Out? boldly addresses the following dilemmas and more: -Do today's black athletes and coaches have the purpose to follow the leads of pioneers like Jackie Robinson, Althea Gibson, Robert Johnson, or Tony Dungy? -Is Muhammad Ali's great legacy being misused to justify the behavior of today's prima donnas and their preconceived, self-centered celebrations? -Why, with tremendous models like Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Venus and Serena Williams, and Candace Parker, is black female participation not more encouraged across a wide array of sports? -Are portrayals of professional black athletes, centered on gaining luxury possessions and material wealth rather than giving back to the community, ensuring that a me-first mind-set carries over to the next generation of athletes? -Will more blacks break through the glass ceiling in coaching and sports management positions to achieve strong decision-making roles? -Can negative attitudes about race, held by segments inside and outside the black community, be overcome so that faster and enduring progress can be made in the future? Powell's answers will surprise, anger, please, and--most of all--challenge you.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0736067507
• ISBN13: 9780736067508
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

great

just finished the book. i want to echo everything that was said in the other reviews. this is a great and important book that looks beneath the phony glamorous facade of sports. i highly reccomend it to everyone interested in american culture. the book was overwhelmingly compelling to the point that i ripped through it eager to learn as much as possible. the style of writing and content were completely engrossing and full of important analysis and revelations. highly reccomended to anyone sick of the destructive aspects of our sports-road to riches culture who senses that there is so much more really going on in the world of sports. i hope he writes more books soon.

An Argument with Punch

First of all, I'm not a sports fan, but I'm aware enough of the world around me to know Muhammad Ali from Howard Cossell. The raised fists on the cover of "Souled Out?" took me straight to the opening pages. I was hooked. As a white male, how could I put down a book in which the author confesses in the first pages that Tommy Smith's courageously defiant raised fist made him, the author as a young man, want to go out and punch the first white kid he met? As someone who doesn't follow sports, I can't argue with Powell's thesis, but I can tell you that his argument captivated me. "Souled Out?" opens up and teases out social issues with important and far-reaching implications that go far beyond sports. It remains clear and compelling throughout, even to a non-sports-fan. I closed "Souled Out?" with a deeper appreciation for the complexity of the challenges facing black atheletes in America.

Interesting...

Powell brings up many good points, is easy to read, & this book makes for good discussions! It highlights the lack of the father-figure in many African-American households and how it has effected this generation--on & off the field. Many other issues are raised, however, this is what impacted me the most.

Fantastic!

I enjoyed reading William Rhoden's "Million Dollar Slaves" last year, but it read more like a history lesson than does Shaun Powell's excellent page-turner. While Powell offers some historical perspective on the state of black athletes in America, "Souled Out" is primarily driven by present-day issues. This is a big reason for my enjoying his book so much. This is an engrossing, thoughtful read by a terrific writer and the book should encourage lively debate around many dinner tables, water coolers, and football tailgates this season. Sports fans of every stripe will find this to be a great read spanning a variety of important issues. I could not put it down! A+

Engaging

Powell provides a thought-provoking look at the modern day black athlete. He points out the shortcomings of big-time athletes and how some athletes have made themselves jesters. At the same time, he also provides future directions for improving the situation of today's athlete in this honest but opinionated book. This is a great read for anyone interested in racial issues. It's the best book that I've read in several years.