The Black Athlete

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This is a podcast by Louis Moore and Derrick White. As trained historians and leading scholars on sports and race, we discuss the history of the black athlete in a contemporary conversation. Moore is the author of I Fight for a Living: Boxing and the Batt

Louis Moore and Derrick White


    • May 10, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 50m AVG DURATION
    • 67 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Black Athlete podcast is an enlightening and thought-provoking show that delves into the history of sports and race. Hosted by Louis Moore and Derrick White, two knowledgeable scholars in the field, this podcast offers engaging dialogue and deep insights into the struggles faced by Black athletes throughout the years. While their discussions primarily revolve around football and basketball, with occasional mentions of individual sports like tennis and golf, as well as baseball and Olympic events, there is a noticeable lack of focus on sports such as hockey, baseball or global sports like soccer where Black athletes are underrepresented. Despite this limitation, the podcast provides substance often missing from mainstream media narratives.

    One of the best aspects of The Black Athlete podcast is the wealth of knowledge that Louis Moore and Derrick White bring to each episode. Their scholarly backgrounds shine through as they provide historical context to current sports topics, going beyond superficial headlines. They tackle complex issues at the intersection of race and sports with nuance and intelligence, offering a unique perspective that challenges conventional wisdom. The depth of their analysis is truly commendable, making for a thoroughly informative listening experience.

    However, it must be noted that the podcast's limited focus on certain sports can be a drawback. While Louis Moore and Derrick White explore the rich history of race in football and basketball extensively, other sports where Black athletes face unique challenges are rarely discussed. This includes sports like hockey and baseball where representation may be lacking or global sports like soccer where there is a significant racial dynamic that deserves attention. By broadening their scope to include these lesser-discussed sports, The Black Athlete podcast could offer an even more comprehensive exploration of race in athletics.

    In conclusion, The Black Athlete podcast is a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the historical context behind the experiences of Black athletes in various sporting disciplines. With Louis Moore and Derrick White's wealth of knowledge and insightful analysis, listeners are treated to engaging conversations that go beyond the headlines. While there is room for improvement in terms of including a wider range of sports, this podcast is still a must-listen for anyone seeking a nuanced understanding of race and sports.



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    Latest episodes from The Black Athlete

    The Face of the League

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 61:41


    In this episode, we're joined for Dr. Carl Suddler to discuss the WNBA, the NBA and the idea of the "face of the league." We delve into the popularity of Caitlin Clark and why Anthony Edwards is the right guy.

    CJ Stroud and the Carceral State

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023 48:01


    In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Carl Suddler to help us break down the meaning of CJ Stroud's latest post-game interview discussion about the unjust criminal justice system.

    Coach Prime

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2023 67:09


    In this episode, Dr. Carl Suddler joins us to discuss Bishop Sycamore and also Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffalos. We give our thoughts on the exploitation that was BS High School and the meaning of Coach Prime's victory at Colorado.

    Ja and the NBA

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 61:24


    In this episode, in the first half we discuss our thoughts on men and women's college basketball and March Madness. We dedicate the last 30 minutes talking JA, the NBA, and the difference between David Stern and Adam Silver.

    The Black Super Bowl

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2023 55:54


    In this episode, after getting caught up on LeBron's scoring record and the NBA trade deadline, we dive into the Super Bowl that features two starting Black quarterbacks. But before we dish out on Mahomes and Hurts, we talk the legacy of Ken Riley, a black college quarterback that is now in the NFL Hall of Fame as a cornerback.

    Black Bodies And Football

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2023 67:56


    In this episode, we're joined by Cultural Anthropologist Dr. Tracie Canada to discuss Black bodies, family, and football. During our conversation, she discusses her recent article "Damar Hamlin's Collapse Highlights the Violence Black Men Experience in Football." The brilliant scholar provides insight into what it's like for Black men playing football and why she wrote her article.

    Deion Sanders Goes to Colorado, Jerry Jones Goes Back in Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2022 63:22


    In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Carl Suddler to haver a spirited conversation about Deion Sanders taking a job at Colorado. We talk about community, HBCUS, expectations, and big time football. As a bonus, we give our takes on Jerry Jones and the 1957 North Little Rock school incident.

    The Black World Cup 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2022 77:20


    In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Jermaine Scott, an expert on soccer and the Black diaspora. He breaks down the Black players on the US you should know for this World Cup. Moreover, we discuss the Black diaspora on other teams, including Canada, Belgium, France and teams in sub-Saharan Africa.

    We're Back!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2022 59:29


    It's been a long time, we shouldn't have left you, but We're Back! In this episode we play catchup on some of the things we missed. We discuss Serena and her legacy, Todd Bowles and Black Coaches, Deion and HBCUs, and chop it up about the start of the NBA.

    Marlin Briscoe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2022 66:20


    We are back! In this episode, we quickly catch you up on what we've been doing these past 2 months, before we get into discussing the meaning of Marlin Briscoe. After that we chop it up about the day's latest moves with NBA free agency and USC and UCLA moving to the Big 10.

    Jackie 75

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2022 53:24


    On this episode, we bring on sports reporter and investigative journalist Bradford William Davis to dish on all things Black baseball. As part of our episode celebrating the legacy of Jackie Robinson and the 75th anniversary of him breaking the color barrier in baseball, we discuss the plight of the Black player today, and some key Black players to watch this season.

    The Attack on Black Women Athletes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2022 48:06


    In this episode, we are back with Dr. Letisha Engracia Cardoso Brown to speak about the recent attacks on Black women athletes. From Venus and Serena, to gymnasts at UCLA, the brilliant Dr. Brown breaks it down.

    From Bomb Threats to Basketball: HBCUs Today

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2022 55:27


    On this episode, we bring on historian, and leading scholar of HBCU history, Jelani Favors. Favors, the author of the award winning book, Shelter in a Storm: How Black Colleges Generations of Leadership and Activism, discusses the recent bomb threats that a number of campuses have faced and the future of sports at HBCUs.

    Brian Flores vs. The NFL

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2022 57:57


    In this episode, we discuss the latest news in the NFL regarding Brian Flores suing the league for racial discrimination. To help us talk about this subject, we have Dr. Carl Suddler as our guest. We put in context the meaning of the law suit and what Black head coaches have to go through in the NFL.

    The Clean Up Men: The NFL and Black Coaches

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2022 39:25


    In this episode, to begin 2022, we start where the NFL left off with their time tested tradition of using Black coaches as clean up men, but firing them before they can finish the job. Specifically, we take a look at Brian Flores and the Miami Dolphins, and David Culley of the Houston Texans.

    Deion Sanders, HBCUs, and Signing Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2021 37:01


    On this episode, we had to hop on the pod for an emergency show. As one of the leading experts on HBCU football, Derrick had to breakdown what it meant for Deion and Jackson State to sign top recruit Travis Hunter. Is this sustainable? Who knows? But this move has the chance to shake the foundation of the sport.

    The Coaching Carousel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2021 46:23


    In this episode, we discuss the latest news in college football as it relates to the Black coach. We talk about what the hiring of Marcus Freeman and Hue Jackson mean, and also all the money these coaches are getting. Most important, we're back!

    Aaron Rodgers and the Bad Faith Actors

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2021 66:36


    In this episode, we discuss some recent headlines involving owners, coaches, and players and their questionable decisions. We look at Suns owner Robert Sarver, University of Washington football coach Jimmy Lake, and Aaron Rodgers and how they used public trust to do bad things. To be clear, Aaron Rodgers is the name, so we gave him top billing.

    Jon Gruden and his Emails

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2021 52:40


    In this episode, we discuss the problems that Urban Meyer and Jon Gruden are having. We talk about their whiteness and privilege and how that has protected them all these years. Gruden's racist trope was not just a one off thing that should be left in the past.

    The NBA and the Vax

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2021 50:39


    In this episode, we talk about NBA players refusing to get the vaccine and why they might be. We give some historical context to how Black folks and the grapevine, and why, because of the history of medicine and mistrust, some might be hesitant to get vaccinated. In the end, however, that's not enough.

    NFL Preview 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2021 53:33


    In this episode we preview the 2021 season for the NFL. More than just our hot takes on fantasy football, we dive into the new social justice helmet approval list and ask "what happened to the movement?" We reference Vince Evans several times, so you don't want to miss that. And briefly discuss the career of Tyrod Taylor.

    HBCU Classics

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2021 61:31


    In this episode we discuss the significance of HBCU football on primetime TV. We go over the history of television contracts and how HBCUs were left out, and what being on TV can mean for their programs. We tell you why Grambling and Tennessee State are significant in the history of college football. Derrick breaks down the history of the Orange Blossom Classic. And we also chop it up about Bishop Sycamore and how youth sports are out of control.

    MLK and Fortnite

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 66:45


    In this episode, we have Dr. Kishonna Gray on again to help us breakdown the latest Fortnite venture, as they put a MLK module into their game. We discuss the implications of this e-learning, both pros and cons. But before we get started, we talk Fantasy Football and Covid.

    Legacies: From Allyson Felix to Bobby Bowden

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2021 45:28


    In this episode we get you up to speed on the wee that was (August 4-11), from the ending of the Olympics to the death and legacy of Bobby Bowden. We salute Allyson Felix as an all-time great and we discuss the legacy of Bobby Bowden.

    The Olympics

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2021 53:00


    In this episode, we start off season 3 with a discussion of the end of the NBA season, then we give our thoughts on the NFL and the new covid discussion. We end the episode discussing the Olympics and highlighting the importance of a growing mental health conversation.

    George Floyd and the Criminalization of the Black Athletic Body

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2021 55:11


    In this episode, we have guest Dr. Carl Suddler on to discuss his recent Washington Post Op-ed on George Floyd, his murder, and what it meant for athlete activism. In our conversation, we discuss the meaning of the Black athletic body and how it becomes criminalized. We also briefly discuss the impact of Lee Evans.

    Choppin it Up, April 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2021 59:21


    It has been a good 6 weeks since we recorded. Sorry we left you. In this episode, we discuss the newest information on the Eyes of Texas, Tennessee State's Hiring of Eddie George, and why LeBron James is right to be angry over police brutality, including why he should have left up his tweet.

    The Plantation

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2021 52:36


    In this episode, we discuss the recent controversies in college sports surrounding racism, exploitation, and the Black athlete. Specifically, we discuss donors at Texas forcing players to stay on the field for "Eyes of Texas," and Creighton's basketball coach Greg McDermott telling this players to stay on the plantation.

    The G.O.A.T

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2021 44:41


    In this episode, we jump into the GOAT debate and discuss whether Tom Brady is really the greatest of all time. But first, we spend 20 minutes discussing the Jaguars signing of Chris Doyle and what it means for BLM in pro football going forward.

    Super Bowl 55

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2021 49:15


    In this episode, we touch on the lives of Hank Aaron and John Chaney, discuss the problem the NFL has with hiring Black coaches, and give our predictions for Super Bowl 55.

    Esports

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2020 62:10


    In this fun episode, we are joined by the brilliant Dr. Kishonna Gray to discuss race and gaming. Along the way Dr. Gray breaks down E-sports as a college sport, racial disparities in gaming, and discussing Black women and gaming. Trust us, you don't want to skip this episode.

    black trust esports kishonna gray
    Black College Football Coaches, A Crisis (2020)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2020 47:49


    In this episode, we take a quick look at a startling recent trend; the firing of Black college coaches. With 3 power 5 Black coaches fired in the last 3 weeks, we discuss what has to happen moving forward to increase the number of Black coaches on the sidelines.

    Maradona

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2020 50:05


    In this episode, we bring on Dr. Jermaine Scott (Black Soc Doc) to discuss the life and legacy of Diego Maradona. We discuss his life on and off the pitch along with class, race, and colorism in Argentina. There's also a Mike Tyson comparison.

    Off the top

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2020 56:05


    In this episode, we sit down and discuss the latest happenings in sports. From the move to add Negro League stats to MLB, to the Russell Westbrook-John Wall trade. Along the way, we talk Covid and sports leagues. If you ever wanted to know what a phone call between us was like, this is it. Like me being shocked in real time that South Carolina lost.

    The Spencer Haywood Rule

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2020 78:14


    With the NBA draft approaching, we chopped it up with Hall of Famer Spencer Haywood about his battle with the NBA. In a very open interview, Haywood, who is one of the most significant basketball players in history, discussed his upbringing in Mississippi, playing ball in Detroit, his Olympic success, and his fight for the right to play in the NBA. As listeners will learn, it's because of this son of a sharecropper, that young men have an opportunity to earn a living in the NBA without having to wait 4 years in college. This is about the soon to be "Spencer Haywood Rule," one of the most significant rules in sport.

    The Vote

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2020 59:47


    In this episode, we chop it up with Dr. Charles McKinney of Rhodes College about the power and the limits of the vote. The good Doc breaks it down for our listeners and drops some gems about the importance of political education. We also take the opportunity to dish on Ice Cube and Black capitalism.

    World Series 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2020 55:34


    In this episode, we have guest, Bradford William Davis, a sports columnist for the NY Daily News chopping it up with us about the World Series. Bradford dishes on Mookie Betts going to the Dodgers, MLB and their BLM campaign, and how he got into journalism.

    NBA Bubble Wrap and the Lakers Championship

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 57:55


    In this episode, we discuss the NBA Bubble and the championship with scholar and big-time Laker fan Dr. Carl Sudler. We talk Lebron's legacy, the Lakers championship, and Black Lives Matter.

    John Thompson

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2020 60:06


    In this episode, we have special guest Dr. Frank Guridy talking the life and legacy of John Thompson. From starter jackets to graduation rates, we got you covered.

    Basketball and Boycotts

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2020 59:27


    In this episode, we give our thoughts on the recent strikes/boycotts in the sports world led by the WNBA and NBA. Where do we go from here?

    Athlete Activism and the WNBA

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2020 49:35


    In this episode, we bring on Dr. Letisha Brown to discuss the WNBA and athlete activism.

    The Noose

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2020 44:38


    In this episode, we use the Bubba Wallace noose incident to briefly discuss the history of lynching in America.

    Juneteenth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2020 48:51


    In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Vanessa Holden, Assistant Professor of History at Kentucky, to discuss the meaning of Juneteenth and other Emancipation Days commemorated by Black folk. Dr. Holden also discusses her forthcoming book about the women involved in the Nat Turner rebellion.

    Policing and Protest

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2020 64:53


    In this episode, we are joined by historians Carl Suddler and Hasan Kwame Jeffries, to discuss the policing and protest in the wake of the murders of George Floyd and Brianna Taylor. We put this moment in historical context and also discuss how white coaches are mishandling this moment.

    Sporting Blackness: A Conversation with Dr. Samantha Sheppard

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2020 58:46


    In this episode, we talk with Dr. Samantha N. Sheppard about her new book Sporting Blackness: Race, Embodiment, and Critical Muscle Memory on Screen. She also uses her critical eye to breakdown The Last Dance.

    Harvey Gantt: Beyond Michael Jordan

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2020 50:12


    In this episode, we give you the background you need on Harvey Gantt so he's not just a footnote in a Michael Jordan conversation. From Clemson, to Soul City, to the Mayor of Charlotte, Gantt was the Michael Jordan on politics.

    The Last Dance Review, 1&2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2020 44:03


    In this episode, we invite historian Carl Suddler to join us in our conversation on the first 2 episodes of the Last Dance. Suddler also gives us heartwarming words about the passing of friend, mentor, and sports historian Pellom McDaniels III.

    Football Coaches Are Fumbling Their Covid Response

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2020 35:37


    On this track, we dish on how we're adjusting to going online, and how college football coaches are fumbling their Covid response.

    Remembering Kobe/ Blackness and the Kansas City Chiefs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2020 57:50


    In this episode, we talk the life and legacy of Kobe Bryant and what he meant to us. We also discuss the black history of the Kansas City Chiefs.

    OBJ and Policing Black Joy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2020 35:49


    In this episode, we discuss Odell Beckham Jr., and his actions after the NCAA college football national title game. Before that we give some brief history of integration and college football in the late 60s and early 70s. We close with a shoutout to the WNBA.

    Willie Taggart and the Black Football Coach

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2019 39:41


    In this episode, we tackle the hiring and firing of Willie Taggart at Florida State and place his career in the history of black coaches.

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