By J.R. Jamison, The Facing Project—
“Facing Social Justice in Sports” hit shelves on Tuesday, September 13th
MUNCIE, IN – Athletes attract worldwide followings and can influence positive change; yet, they are often expected to temper and censor their statements on “social justice” issues due to public perceptions of the phrase itself and the emotions it conjures.
For instance: Is social justice a product or a process? Or both? Is meant to unify or divide?
That is up to the reader of this book to decide.
Edited by Ball State University Professor of Journalism Dr. Adam J. Kuban, with stories written by undergraduate students from his intermediate Sports Reporting & Writing course, Facing Social Justice in Sports follows the lives of over 20 athletes, coaches, and sports-media professionals in different stages of their careers from youth to collegiate to pro.
“The Facing Project’s writing model uses empathy to inspire awareness and action,” Kuban said. “My students interviewed the athletes, coaches, or sports-media professionals featured in these chapters, learning about them and exploring their nexus of social justice and their respective sport, and in the spirit of empathy, they composed these stories as though they were the storytellers — from the first-person perspective.”
Topics discussed in the book include racism, gender equality, poverty, international-student rights, mental health, disability, and LGBTQ+ challenges, where each chapter invites the reader to see the world through the eyes of those who’ve shared their personal stories.
Facing Social Justice in Sports. Front cover of book.
“Some chapters will inspire hope and maybe even prompt change or action. Some will undoubtedly anger you. Some might seem to end abruptly and without a satisfying conclusion,” Kuban added. “That’s simply because most of these lived experiences are not yet complete. This book project has taken two years to finish, and as we’ve learned throughout that time, social-justice issues in sports are complex and emotional, and it can be hard to tell it like it is. But at the end of the day, we ask that you do what the student writers did: Listen.”
Gene Policinski, a founding editor of USA Today and the former managing editor of Sports, says, “Facing Social Justice in Sports offers a unique, penetrating portrait of athletes as they consider important social issues of our day; this is an insightful conversation with these rare and talented competitors.”
Don Yaeger, an 11-time New York Times best-selling author, says, “Reading these stories was eye-opening and instructive, and I couldn’t give this book any higher praise.”
Facing Social Justice in Sports releases on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, from The Facing Project Press and is available anywhere books are sold: https://facingproject.com/facing-social-justice-in-sports/. A private launch party and panel discussion will be held at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis on Saturday, September 17.
About The Facing Project
The Facing Project is a national nonprofit that creates a more understanding and empathetic world through stories that inspire action. The organization provides tools and a platform for individuals and communities to share their stories, connect across differences, and begin crucial conversations through their own narratives. Over 100 Facing Projects have been organized in 18 states with more than 1,500 stories shared and published through The Facing Project Press, and available on The Facing Project Radio Show (produced by Indiana Public Radio) that airs once a month on select NPR-affiliate stations and via NPR One. Learn more at facingproject.com.
