This was truly a fantastic book! I always enjoy learning about things I don’t know much about already. I didn’t know that there was such a prevalence of black press newspapers/magazines back in the 30s/40s in the history of the United States. And the rift/differences that existed between the black press and the white press.
This book gave me a whole new perspective on the civil rights movement. Because it was written by journalists who had up close and personal encounters with people who were actually involved with the movement. Inside stories, dealing with personalities, and so many of the great characters throughout the civil rights movement that we have come to know about.
The book started back in the integration/segregation years when schools were forced to start accepting black students. The book also covers the history of Martin Luther King Jr., his assassination, the Vietnam War years where the country obviously started shifting focus from the civil-rights unrest at home, to fight in wars abroad.
The last chapter was very interesting because it was about “whatever happened to them now.” (A more in-depth profile of the various personalities and characters throughout the civil-rights era.
As we saw in the recent uprisings in the United States in 2015, the unrest for civil rights, equal treatment under the law, incarceration rates, etc., continues to be the steady drumbeat throughout the social fabric of the United States.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
