Review of David Naze, Reclaming 42
Document Type
Review
Publication Date
2-11-2020
Department 1
English
Abstract
2019 marked the centennial of Jackie Robinson's birth, and Reclaiming 42: Public Memory and the Reframing of Robinson's Radical Legacy, written by David Naze, is a reminder that Robinson's accomplishments should be reexamined. Naze, an academic administrator trained in rhetorical studies, uses Robinson's writing, articles written about Robinson, two museums that prominently feature Robinson, and Major League Baseball's "Jackie Robinson Day" as the essential texts for his rhetorical, theoretical lens. Naze believes that American culture failed to recognize Robinson's "political voice" both while he was a player and after his career ended. Using Ken Burns's take on Robinson in his documentary Jackie Robinson (2016) as his foundation, Naze contrasts the hegemonic version of Robinson with the man Martin Luther King once described as "a sit-inner before sit-ins, a freedom rider before freedom rides." [excerpt]
Recommended Citation
Ryan, Jack. “Naze, Reclaiming 42.” The Sport Literature Association, February 11, 2020. https://tmorris.utasites.cloud/sla/br200211.html.