Episode 52: The Potential of the NBA as a Space for Social Change and Some Reopening Ramblings with The Profs

Dear Adam Silver

Professors Kyle Green, Stephen Cho Suh and Alex Manning are on the pod to discuss their collectively written paper entitled Discursive Footwork on the Hardwood. This piece of writing focuses on four NBA players speaking out on the topics of cultural appropriation and both systemic and individual acts of racism through essays published on The Player's Tribune. The paper unpacks the possibilities and limitations of working to address and dismantle racism within the institution of the NBA, which is known to be a more progressive space in comparison to other major sports leagues in the United States.

The four essays that are referenced and analyzed in the paper are linked to below.
Blake Griffin
Jason Collins
Jeremy Lin
Kyle Korver

We also get into ALL of the WNBA/NBA reopening news, including how players and leagues will go about continuing their activism once they are on the court.

Kyle Green is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at SUNY Brockport. Check out his website and learn more about his podcast Give Theory a Chance here.

Stephen Cho Suh is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Women’s & Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Alex Manning is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Hamilton College.