Taylor Bembery
Associate Editor
Curtis Granderson, a professional baseball player, visited Jackson State University to reflect and give his views on the book, “Forty Million Dollar Slaves” by William C. Rhoden. The book which was published in 2007 is a provocative and compelling take on the rise, fall, and redemption of the black athlete.
According to the description of the book, New York Times columnist Rhoden offers a charged assessment of the state of black athletes in America, using the persuasive metaphor of the plantation to describe a modern sports industry defined by white ownership and black labor.
Granderson is definitely no stranger to these ideals. The three-time MLB All-Star has played for the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees. He currently is an outfielder for the New York Mets. Granderson has been recognized for the work he does on and off the field. During the discussion, he addressed the scrutiny that many black athletes go through when it comes to giving back to the community.
“When I got drafted to play with the Detroit Tigers in 2002, the first thing people were asking me was: ‘What was I going to do to give back to the community?’ I don’t know if people realize that in our minor league contract we start off making $850 a month. I don’t know what I could give back with $850 [laughs]. I could give people my time and speak at different things but a lot of the instant fame and gratification that people think is there, isn’t necessarily there. I said let me make it, let me get to that position first. When I was able to give back, I was able to do it right; so that it could affect more people,” said Granderson.
He also touched on the subject of the lack of talented high school athletes being recruited to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“The problem stems from not putting the money back into the athletic facilities from the revenue the athletic departments might receive. The players have the choice on what school they rather attend. You can either choose a school where the facilities may not be that good (but could have been) or go to an institute where everything is there. As a high school athlete, usually you’re only 18 years old and you have to decide that decision for yourself. If you mess it up, you don’t get that decision back. There is no reason that JSU can’t be bigger than Ole Miss or Mississippi State. Walter Payton went here and he did amazing things,” said Granderson.
Even though Granderson did not attend an HBCU, he has a very strong relationship and respect for the institutions. Monica Granderson, an English professor and alumnus of JSU, is Curtis’ sister. She believes reading the book helps find self worth for not only black athletes but black people in general.
“The book is very important because we sometimes get lost as a people, considering that we are African-Americans and there are certain perceptions of us that people expect. There might be certain things that we might not want to do, but it’s expected of us because we have contracts. Sometimes we lose ourselves in the process because we’re trying to maintain a certain status and we want to live a certain lifestyle,” she said.
Students, faculty, and staff were all able to chime in with Q & A during the discussion.
Aspen Wilson, a sophomore mass communications major from Memphis, Tenn., attended the book review with his professor.
“It was very interesting. Curtis Granderson is a great role model in the community and nationwide. It’s pretty good seeing public figures coming in to speak to students. The discussion definitely makes me want to go purchase a copy of the book,” said Wilson.
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