Black Men on the Blacktop: Basketball and the Politics of Race

Mohamed (Dorm Room Dealers) combines his own experiences observing and playing pickup basketball with sociological studies, pop culture references, and a history of housing development in 20th-century America to present the complex landscape of cultural and economic politics of one of America’s most popular sports. He argues that “through their pose, language, and the attitude with which they play, young urban black males are repeatedly telling a counter-story to anyone deemed representative of the power structure and, just as important, to themselves.” For example, he observes what sociologists describe as the “cool pose” among many of the players. Characterized by an aloof confidence, the pose “serves as a sanctuary for black male pride, dignity, and respect” amid the oppression and marginality they experience in society. Mohamed goes on to explore the ways national trends and expectations of the sport create stereotypes while in other ways empower individuals with a collective identity. Written in a conversational tone and striking a balance between anecdote and scholarship, this is an excellent study of the politics at play in everyday arenas. (Nov.)