This is one of the greatest pieces of sports writing I have ever encountered. It is an American story but it is relevant to any community, especially any community which has been ravished by colonisation (which is most).
It is by Natalie Diaz. It’s best to hear the story from Natalie. So here it is: ‘A Body of Athletics’
http://www.pen.org/essay/body-athletics
If you would like to comment on the story please consider commenting at the end of this post.
Thanks to Stephanie Holt for sending me the link. The piece was published on the PEN America website. PEN is really interesting. Learn more about PEN.
It was first published, I believe in Prairie Schooner. Read more about Prairie Schooner.
It is a brilliantly written, moving article. Well done for republishing it on our great sports/life site
Extraordinary. I need to read it a few times.
Well.
Since reading it earlier it’s had me wondering about injustice and hope,
breakdown and chance,
systemic adversity, why that should be, how it could change,
the body and society.
And lots of other topics besides.
Wonderful.
Thought-provoking.
Sad.
Wow.
Astonishing. Thanks for bringing this to my attention Stephanie.
Powerfully written stuff, an absolute indictment of prejudice …. she summed it up succinctly in that one phrase, “Really all the card are white”.
Stunning, sad and yet uplifting. I could barely breath while reading it.
THIS is sportswriting as I hope for it.
I’m with Dips. A read and then a re-read. I know I’ll go again.
Recurring thoughts that order through body and ball, street and game … and accrete into a king-hit in the chops really. Craft at its highest point.
Thanks Natalie, Stephanie, Almanac.