Playing As If The World Mattered: An Illustrated History of Activism in Sports

Description

From the workers' sports movement in the early 20th century, to the civil rights struggle transforming sports in the 1960s, to the current global network of grassroots sports clubs, there has been a growing desire to include sport in the struggle for liberation and social justice. It is a struggle that has produced larger-than-life figures like Muhammad Ali and iconic images such as the Black Power salute by Tommie Smith at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. With the help of over a hundred full-colour illustrations, this book brings to life the history of sports activism.

Gabriel Kuhn is a Stockholm, Sweden-based author and translator. He is the author or editor of All Power to the Councils!, Life Under the Jolly Roger, Sober Living for the Revolution, Soccer vs. the State, and Turning Money into Rebellion.

"Gabriel Kuhn dismantles the myth that sports and politics do not belong together." --Mats Runvall, Yelah "Creativity and solidarity are as indispensable in sport as they are in social struggle. If you have any doubt, read this book." --Wally Rosell, editor of Eloge de la passe: changer le sport pour changer le monde "Gabriel Kuhn is not concerned with moral reflections about how to approach sports and politics. Instead, he provides practical examples of how sport is already politicized and portrays supporters--and even athletes--as progressive social forces." --Ekim Caglar, Flamman "The iconic black power salute offered up by African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos during their medal ceremony at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City did not occur in isolation; it came in the spirit of similar protest actions at sports events, all around the world. In Playing as if the World Mattered, the reader discovers in brilliant detail what has been true all along--that sports has always been more than a game." --Sam Tracy, author of Bicycle! A Repair & Maintenance Manifesto "Gabriel Kuhn has shown again that, contrary to whatever FIFA or the IOC might say, sport and politics are not only keen bedfellows, but have enjoyed a long and lusty partnership." --Will Simpson, author of Freedom Through Football: The Story of the Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls