Things That Make White People Uncomfortable

Michael Bennett · Dave Zirin

Apr 2018 · Haymarket Books

About this ebook

This sports book, memoir, and manifesto from a Super Bowl Champion elucidates racism in the United States.

Michael Bennett is a Super Bowl Champion, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, a fearless activist, a feminist, a grassroots philanthropist, an organizer, and a change maker. He’s also one of the most scathingly humorous athletes on the planet, and he wants to make you uncomfortable.

Bennett adds his unmistakable voice to discussions of racism and police violence, Black athletes and their relationship to powerful institutions like the NCAA and the NFL, the role of protest in history, and the responsibilities of athletes as role models to speak out against injustice. Following in the footsteps of activist-athletes from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick, Bennett demonstrates his outspoken leadership both on and off the field.

Written with award-winning sportswriter and author Dave Zirin, Things that Make White People Uncomfortable is a sports book for our turbulent times, a memoir, and a manifesto as hilarious and engaging as it is illuminating.

A version for Young Adults is also available.

“A courageous and compassionate story of a great athlete and grand human being full of deep care for his fellow citizens! Don't miss it!” —Cornel West

“There is a revolution underway inside professional sports and Michael Bennett is at ground zero. In this revelatory book, he puts everything on the line to share the reasons, strategy, pain and deep thought behind this historic uprising. And he invites us into a vision of justice and liberation that is simply irresistible. This book is pure fire.” —Naomi Klein, author of No Is Not Enough

Ratings and reviews

What a title. Try publishing a novel titled with something aimed at black people and their shortcomings and it would cause absolute hell. White people shouldn't be subjected to such provoking, antagonising racist attacks in book titles, no race should. Why are books like these allowed, fight your cause but no need to bring others down due to their skin colour you hypocrites. Want equality, stop creating a tension and divide with your passive aggressiveness for a start. Enough with this nonsense.

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This is a very difficult reading if you are white. But I took the plunge and dove in. I was one of those people who lived through time of civil rights marches. I was in 7th grade when Martin Luther King was assassinated. So when I heard all the racial unrest and abuse by cops, I thought "What the H*ll???!!! Already been there in the 60s. I was sickened when I read the full story about Ferguson. I sure found out about the underbelly of Americans. God have mercy when it's time to face Him. But we should fight this racism in all it's ugly forms.

About the author

Michael Bennett is a two-time Pro Bowler, Pro Bowl MVP, Super Bowl Champion, two-time NFC Champion and PFWC All-Team selection.

Dave Zirin is the sports editor for the Nation and the author of several books, most recently Brazil's Dance with the Devil. Named one of UTNE Reader’s “Fifty Visionaries Who Are Changing Our World,” Zirin is a frequent guest on MSNBC, ESPN, and Democracy Now! He hosts WPFW's The Collision with Etan Thomas and has been called "the best sportswriter in the United States," by Robert Lipsyte.