Editorials & Other Articles

demmiblue

(36,816 posts) Wed Jul 13, 2016, 12:13 PM Jul 2016

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on His Love of History, Youth Sports and Which Books Everyone Should Read

Source: Smithsonian

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Later this summer, Abdul-Jabbar will publish his tenth book, Writings on the Wall: a ranging collection of essays that weaves through race, politics, religion and aging, all with an eye to how we as a culture might do a bit better by each other. It’s a frank, earnest offering, dotted with pop culture references and bits of humble advice that takes advantage of the unique perspective that comes with being one of the most famous athletes of the 20th century. Like his other books—he’s written histories of forgotten African-American icons, books for children, and, most recently, a reimagining of the life of Sherlock Holmes’ brother, Mycroft—it shows off the breadth of his interests and his undiminished curiosity for both the past and the present.

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What do you think the most pressing issue facing America today is? Is there one that cuts across all the others you talk about?

The cultural elevation of emotional reactions over logical thinking is at the root of racism, misogyny, homophobia, political corruption, and most other social ailments. The public is constantly manipulated by appeals to tradition, popularity, sentiment and other emotions that are meant to short-circuit logical thinking in order to get votes or money or both. Politicians will crank up the fear factor about immigrants or bathrooms or voter fraud despite the lack of evidence that there is any real threat. When people are afraid, they act irrationally, but justify their repugnant behavior by wrapping themselves in the flag or a holy book. As we look around at statements being said by this year’s presidential candidates, do we feel like proud Americans embracing the principles of the U.S. Constitution?

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You end the book with advice to Generation Z. What does that advice boil down to?

We put a lot of pressure on each generation to step up to the plate and fulfill the American Dream. Then we sit around in our poolside lounge chairs judging them on how well they're doing and how fast their going in reaching the goals we’ve set for them. But we don’t take into account that their version of the American Dream may not be the same as ours. In fact, studies show that it isn’t. They don’t necessarily want what the previous generation wanted and they aren’t on the same timetables. My advice was the customize the American Dream to fit their own needs and values, but to never stop working to make sure everyone has equal access to achieving it.

What was the inspiration to write this kind of holistic book—which covers a wide swath of the problems facing America—at this particular moment?

This election cycle has shown Americans to be at one of the most divisive times in its history. I wanted to write a book that reminded everyone of the common values that we share that have defined this country from its inception. Our freedoms that we’re so proud of also make us vulnerable to attacks from within of those who would exploit our fears in order to manipulate us and rob so many of equal opportunity and economic parity.