The Reign of Lew Alcindor in the Age of Revolt

Posted March 30, 2018

External Article: The Undefeated

Johnny Smith, assistant professor in the School of History and Sociology (HSOC) at Georgia Institute of Technology, wrote The Undefeated, March 30, article, “The Reign of Lew Alcindor in the Age of Revolt.” The School of History and Sociology is part of the Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.

Excerpt:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is known as one of the greatest basketball players in history. During his 20-year professional career with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, he appeared in 19 All-Star Games, won six championships and collected six MVP awards. In retirement, he has become a prominent cultural commentator and writer, a leading voice on the intersection between sports and politics. Recently, he published a memoir about his collegiate career at UCLA, Coach Wooden and Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off the Court. Fifty years ago he was the most dominant college basketball player America had ever seen. Between 1967 and 1969, he led UCLA to three consecutive national titles and an 88-2 record. Yet, his legacy transcends the game; in the age of Black Power, he redefined the political role of black college athletes. In 1968, when black collegians debated boycotting the Olympics, Lew Alcindor, as he was then still known, emerged as the most prominent face in the revolt on campus. Why did Alcindor refuse to play in the Olympics? To answer that question we have to return to Harlem, New York, in July 1964, the first of many long, hot summers. Written by Johnny Smith, Julius C. "Bud" Shaw Professor of Sports, Society, and Technology and an Assistant Professor of History at Georgia Tech.

For the full article, visit The Undefeated website.

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