Each week, the library will feature a video or radio interview highlighting a specific African American athlete or athletes who played a pivotal role in breaking barriers.
The Intersection of Sports, Politics and Culture
OJ: 30 Years Later
Presented by Dr. Gary Gershman
Each week, the library will feature a video or radio interview (30 to 60 minutes in length) highlighting a specific African American athlete or athletes who played a pivotal role in breaking barriers and challenging societal norms in the United States. The program will examine the broader historical context through the lens of sports and will connect key moments in history with iconic athletes and events.
Using clips from the Academy Award-winning series OJ: Made in America, this session will tie together themes from previous discussions, examining how O.J. Simpson both embodied and challenged notions of the meritocracy of sports and the persistence of racism in society. It will explore how Simpson, who distanced himself from much of the Civil Rights movement, paradoxically became a symbol for many African Americans. The session will also reflect on O.J.’s complex legacy and what he represents in today’s cultural and social landscape.
Image: Don Cormier, Los Angeles Times - https://digital.library.ucla.edu/catalog/ark:/21198/zz0002vnqd
| Mon, Jun 30 | 7:00AM to 11:00PM |
| Tue, Jul 01 | 7:00AM to 11:00PM |
| Wed, Jul 02 | 7:00AM to 11:00PM |
| Thu, Jul 03 | 7:00AM to 11:00PM |
| Fri, Jul 04 | 7:00AM to 10:00PM |
| Sat, Jul 05 | 7:00AM to 8:00PM |
| Sun, Jul 06 | 10:00AM to 11:00PM |
