Michael Bennett is a Super Bowl Champion, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, a fearless activist, a feminist, an organizer, and a change maker. He's also one of the most humorous athletes on the planet, and he wants to make you uncomfortable. Bennett adds his voice to discussions of racism and police violence, Black athletes and their relationship to powerful institutions like the NCAA and the NFL, the role of protest in history, and the responsibilities of athletes as role models to speak out against injustice. Following in the footsteps of activist-athletes from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick, Bennett demonstrates his outspoken leadership both on and off the field. Written with award-winning sportswriter and author Dave Zirin, Things That Make White People Uncomfortable is a sports book for young people who want to make a difference, a memoir, and a book as hilarious and engaging as it is illuminating.
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“Michael Bennett is an agent of change.”
—The New York Times“A shockingly honest take on sports and politics.”
—The Stanger“This book is a courageous and compassionate story of a great athlete and grand human being full of deep care for his fellow citizens! Don't miss it!”
—Cornel West“It would be easy for Michael Bennett to remain silent, to play in the NFL and make his mark through accomplishments on the field. Instead Michael has chosen to use his voice and his platform to fight injustice.”
—Senator Bernie Sanders“There is a tradition of athletes who understand that sports is a way to reach people and change the world. I am proud and humbled to be recognized as part of that tradition. I believe that Michael Bennett's name deserves mention alongside the best of us. This book doesn't only explain the roots of Michael Bennett's courage. It will inspire the people who read it to conquer their fears and fight for what's right.”
—Dr. John Carlos, 1968 Olympic medalist“I was going to say this is the most courageous books on race written by an athlete in my lifetime, but I actually think this is one of the most courageous books on race and racism in America that has ever been written by anyone. It’s that good and that important.”
—Shaun King, columnist for The Intercept and writer-in-residence for Harvard Law School’s Fair Punishment Project“There is a revolution underway inside professional sports and Michael Bennett is at ground zero. In this revelatory book, he puts everything on the line to share the reasons, strategy, pain and deep thought behind this historic uprising. And he invites us into a vision of justice and liberation that is simply irresistible. This book is pure fire.”
—Naomi Klein, author of No Is Not Enough
Related blog posts View all related posts
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Michael Bennett: Black Lives Matter
An excerpt from Super Bowl Champion Michael Bennett's memoir-manifesto, Things That Make White People Uncomfortable.
Other books by Michael Bennett and Dave Zirin
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Things That Make White People Uncomfortable
by Michael Bennett and Dave Zirin -
Brazil's Dance with the Devil
by Dave Zirin -
The John Carlos Story
by John Wesley Carlos and Dave Zirin -
Welcome to the Terrordome
by Dave Zirin -
What's My Name, Fool?
by Dave Zirin
Other books of interest
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101 Changemakers
Edited by Michele Bollinger and Dao X Tran -
The Speech
by Gary Younge -
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How We Get Free
Edited by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor -
Missing Daddy
by Mariame Kaba