Last Wednesday I carved out time from my busy Post-Fling Schedule to attend William Rhoden's lecture on the role of sports in the African American community. The acclaimed New York Times columnist published his provocative book Forty Million Dollar Slaves this past year. As the title of the book indicates, Rhoden has many controversial views on the role of the athlete in the Black community and America as a whole. I received the book as a Christmas gift, so I was very excited to see him come to Penn.
He discussed his views on the material in his book in an affable and down-to-earth manner. Even though the subject matter was intense, touching on racism and inequality, Rhoden was never without humor and likeability. He won over the crowd with ease.
I was very glad that I got the chance to see William Rhoden discuss his book; especially since it was a book that I read and enjoyed immensely last year. But this opportunity also encompasses one of the many reasons that I love Penn. There are so many opportunities to further your interests and engage with the best thinkers around.
Last semester, I got the chance to meet poet and activist Nikki Giovanni when she spoke at the Graduate School of Social Work. This was MAJOR for me. I've admired her work and her spirit for as long as I can remember. I was floating on air for days. And her autograph still hangs over my desk for inspiration! At Penn, you get to engage with the brightest intellectual luminaries of our times if you seize the opportunities.
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