Just one day removed for the observation of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday I’d like to draw your attention to a new book. I have yet to read it but am hearing some “interesting” things about it. I’m going to pick it up, read it and hopefully get back to you about it.

In his book, Souled Out? How Blacks Are Winning and Losing in Sports, Shaun Powell examines the national changes in the black sporting environment since Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised black leather gloves in protest during the 1968 Olympic medal ceremony. As he points out it was the last such demonstration to enact social change.

Although Powell acknowledges the accomplishments of some he cringes at the examples set by other high-profile black athletes who use the spotlight for over-the-top endzone celebrations, in-your-face confrontations and criminal records.

While Powell admits the changes for African Americans since the 196O’s are mostly positive he regrets that black athletes have been “homogenized” by millions of dollars and society’s conditional love. “He sees no evil, hears no evil, and therefore suspects no evil…He’s secure inside the gated suburban compound in which he lives, where there are no gang issues, rotting neighborhoods, substandard schools and in-your-face racism.”

I’d have to agree I think with his assessment. I think that athletes that have become advocates for social change have become targets, pigeonholed as “difficult” and are often disqualified as candidates for the increased capitol that endorsements can bring. On the other end of the spectrum we have the troubled black athletes, the likes of Michael Vick and every football player from West Virginia or Miami. These athletes counteractively have created stereotypes that make it harder for those who chose to do the right thing to recognized for their accomplishments. It should be an interesting read. I encourage you to pick it up as well.