"Team USA versus The Machine"

Danielle Belton nails it in this article.  Yet another example of racism and sexism as both pervading and pervasive.

Linsanity

I've basically been holding my thoughts on Jeremy Lin. No doubt, he's a very good player. As well, he is a dynamic figure residing at the intersections of race and sports. For now, I'll say that one of the most interesting aspects of Lin's emergence is the ways in which racism (as a systemic ideology) and prejudice (as an articulation of personal preference) get convoluted when they are applied to a "model minority" excelling in what is the blackest of professional sports. Seems to me that this is the perfect occasion to clarify the distinctions, or in the least be clear that the terms are not interchangeable. For now, it's enough that the Knicks are winning.

Happy New Year!

Here's to keeping with the process, taking advantage of each day and the moments therein, and being better than I was yesterday.

The NBA and Globalism

With the NBA lockout looming, Deron Williams is considering playing in Turkey. Deron's move presents an interesting shift in the latest traditional flow of players, which usual draws top players into the NBA from other nations' professional leagues. If it comes to pass, and insider opinion is doubtful that it will, the move of players from the NBA to other nations will be interesting to watch. It's not that players from the US haven't gone to Europe to play, but it has usually been the case that players who do go to Europe are usually trying to work up to the NBA. If this precedent holds, there is potential for a more even distribution of talent across the globe. As well, the claim of "World Champion" might have to be backed up by challenging teams beyond North America. Who knows, the next GOAT might be ballin' in Istanbul right now.

Tropes of the BFM

Just came across this article in the NYT. The out and out attempt by the AZ state government to ban Latino studies classes is news enough. What's even more interesting, though, is the use of Civil Rights imagery by school superintendent Tom Horne to depict the Latino curriculum as segregationist. This is one example of how the tropes of the BFM shift in meaning across time. I hope to be able to place some attention to the use of Civil Rights imagery by people and groups that are not directly connected to the movement. What does it mean when these images get appropriated, by anybody, for the purpose of addressing issues of race in contemporary contexts?

My Boys

Noah and James,

This is just a quick note to let you both know I love you so much. I rant, press, prod, and repeat myself to you ad infinitum because a) that's what my father did to me, and b) I think it will help you understand a bit more about the world and how to be in it. Just know that I only want the best for you, and I will always be there, whether you want me to be or not.

Love,

Your Father

Doing my part for local history

A while back, a colleague from the U asked me to do a piece for The Public i, a publication of the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center. Here it is. For the most part, the article draws on archival research that I've conducted on the Douglass Center, a sort of epicenter for the North End in CU. Honestly, I feel really good about being able have some of my research available to the public. And if I can get some feedback on the work, then all the better.