Nation Conversations: Katrina vanden Heuvel and Dave Zirin on The Nation’s Sports Issue Nation Conversations: Katrina vanden Heuvel and Dave Zirin on The Nation’s Sports Issue
Sports is an integral part of our political culture—the struggles for racial justice, gender equality, social and economic change are all reflected in sports culture and history. Though many treat sports as an "escape," it is almost impossible to escape politics and social issues through sports. From Jackie Robinson and the first integrated sports teams to Pat Tillman and our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the politics of sports is woven into the fabric of our nation. In this Nation Conversation, Sports Correspondent Dave Zirin joins Editor and Publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel to give some backstory to The Nation's second-ever special issue dedicated to sports, and explains how progressive politics and sports continue to overlap today. —Anna Lekas Miller
Jul 27, 2011 / The Nation
Slide Show: Jennifer Egan on Monica Seles, Plus Jane Mayer, Bob Herbert and Many More on Their Sports Heroes Slide Show: Jennifer Egan on Monica Seles, Plus Jane Mayer, Bob Herbert and Many More on Their Sports Heroes
For our special Sports Issue, The Nation asked a distinguished group of writers, thinkers and advocates to pay tribute to their sports heroes. Among the many contributions are Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Jennifer Egan on tennis phenom Monica Seles, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban on Willie Stargell, filmaker John Sayles on Roberto Clemente, New Yorker writer Jane Mayer on Arthur Ashe and Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards on Carl Yastremski. The result is a package of moving mini-essays all expressing, in their own way, a feeling many of us share: pure love of the game. View all of their responses in this slide show of sports heroes.
Jul 27, 2011 / The Nation
Against All Odds: NFL Players Association Emerges From Lockout as Bruised, Battered Victors Against All Odds: NFL Players Association Emerges From Lockout as Bruised, Battered Victors
The NFLPA has beaten long odds and shown that solidarity is the only way to win.
Jul 25, 2011 / Dave Zirin
Arrogance of Ownership: The NFL Lockout Goes Into Overtime Arrogance of Ownership: The NFL Lockout Goes Into Overtime
The NFL owners are true bad sports, in unnecessarily prolonging the lockout.
Jul 22, 2011 / Dave Zirin
Athletic Excellence Competes With Raunch Culture at Women’s World Cup Athletic Excellence Competes With Raunch Culture at Women’s World Cup
Japan’s victory on Sunday is just one part of a rollicking World Cup.
Jul 18, 2011 / Dave Zirin
Why I’m Boycotting Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game in Arizona Why I’m Boycotting Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game in Arizona
Crowds have asked Commissioner Bud Selig to move the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona. He chose not to listen—and now I choose not to watch.
Jul 11, 2011 / Dave Zirin
John Mackey: The Death of a Football and Union Legend John Mackey: The Death of a Football and Union Legend
Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey has a legacy that truly transcends his sport.
Jul 7, 2011 / Dave Zirin
What Does the LA Dodgers Bankruptcy Say About America? What Does the LA Dodgers Bankruptcy Say About America?
By symbolizing bankruptcy and community apathy, the LA Dodgers make an unwelcome return to the national Zeitgeist.
Jun 29, 2011 / Dave Zirin
The Beatles! Muhammad Ali! and the ‘Accidental Sportswriter’ Who Saw It All The Beatles! Muhammad Ali! and the ‘Accidental Sportswriter’ Who Saw It All
Alternately hilarious and moving, here is the memoir for your beach blanket this summer.
Jun 27, 2011 / Dave Zirin
Adrian Gonzalez Will Attend the 2011 All-Star Game. We Should Not Adrian Gonzalez Will Attend the 2011 All-Star Game. We Should Not
Adrian Gonzalez will be at the 2011 All-Star Game in Arizona. That's good news for Major League Baseball and bad news for immigrant rights activists.
Jun 24, 2011 / Dave Zirin