"Before Kaepernick, there was Etan Thomas."
--New York Times
"In his new book, We Matter: Athletes and Activism, Thomas
tirelessly interviews a range of people from NBA icons to the
families of crime victims to illustrate the importance of
athletes using their voice for more than just sports."
--Athletes Quarterly
"A former NBA player and current activist and MSNBC commentator
returns with a collection of dozens of interviews on the subject
of race in America--all supporting the efforts of athletes to
speak out and up...Voices of pain, anger, and hope resound
through these pages--and through the reader's heart."
--Kirkus Reviews
"An accessible collection of interviews and essays addressing
racial profiling, the power and relevance of athletes' voices,
gender inequality, and mental stigmas...In appealing and
intelligent writing, Thomas encourages fans and athletes to share
their voices and inspires thoughtful action through this
well-timed and significant collection...An excellent resource to
spark discussions and motivate positive community expression and
involvement."
--Library Journal
"Former Marquette University basketball player and 12-time NBA
All-Star Dwyane Wade, along with Basketball Hall-of-Famer Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar (who played for the Milwaukee Bucks while he was
still known as Lew Alcindor) are among more than 50 athletes,
coaches, executives and media personalities featured in a timely
new book exploring the intersection of sports and politics."
--Isthmus (Madison, WI)
"Thomas has spent his life examining inequities in America
particularly as it relates to race and poverty. He's spoken out
against war, helped Oklahoma prisoners write poetry and rallied
against brutality...But, Thomas says he's not alone: that
social issues dominate what athletes talk about behind closed
doors."
--Tulsa World
"Etan confronts our collective challenges and reminds us that
life is not just a game, but demands a constant struggle for
justice."
--Amy Goodman, Democracy Now
Featuring interviews by former NBA player Etan Thomas with over
fifty athletes, executives, media figures, and more--and
interwoven with essays and critiques by Thomas--We Matter shares
the personal tales and opinions of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill
Russell, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, Steve Kerr, O
Robertson, Mark Cuban, Michael Bennett, Carmelo Anthony, Derrick
Rose, Swin Cash, Alonzo Mourning, Chris Webber, Jemele Hill,
Anquan Boldin, Jamal Crawford, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson, Shannon
Sharpe, James Blake, John Carlos, Laila Ali, Michael Eric Dyson,
Joakim Noah, Eric Reid, Adam Silver, Soledad O'Brien, John Wall,
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Bradley Beal, Tamika Catchings, Curtis
Conway, Harry Edwards, Chris Hayes, Chamique Holdsclaw, Scoop
Jackson, Bomani Johnes, Shaun King, Jimmy King, Ted Leonsis,
Thabo Sefolosha, Ilyasah Shabazz, Torrey Smith, Kenny Smith,
Michael Smith, David West, Michael Wilbon, Jahvaris Fulton
(brother of Trayvon Martin), Emerald Snipes (daughter of Eric
Garner), Allysza Castile (sister of Philando Castile), Valerie
Castile (mother of Philando Castile), and Dr. Tiffany Crutcher
(sister of Terence Crutcher).
This volume will be an inspiration for many different people:
sports junkies; young readers who need words of encouragement
from their favorite athletes; parents seeking positive messages
for their children; activists who want to hear athletes using
their voices to address social justice; and schools that need
motivational material for their students.