Lori Latrice Martin

This book examines how black women have identified challenges in major social institutions across history and demonstrated adaptive leadership in mobilizing people to tackle those challenges facing black communities. Most studies about black women and social justice issues focus on the responses of black women to racism within the context of the feminist movement and/or the responses of black women to sexism in black liberation movements. Such discussions often fail to explore the ways in which black women's commitment to negotiating their racial, gender, and class identities, while engaged in the practice of leadership, is discouraged and ignored. Black Women as Leaders analyzes the commitment of contemporary black women to social justice issues from the perspective of adaptive leadership. It shows how black women are often forced into the public practice of leadership due to violent attacks from people with whom they are in engaged in interpersonal relationships. The book also breaks new ground by revealing how black women suffer from the devaluation and vilification of their engagement in the practice of leadership in private settings, such as their homes and selected religious and institutional settings.

"The racial makeup of sports in the United States serves as a classic example of racism in the 21st century. This book examines the racial disparities in sports and the continuing significance of race in 21st-century America, debunking the myth of a "postracial society." Sports can serve as an inspirational example of what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance, regardless of one's race. However, there is plenty of evidence that race still plays a major role in sports, and that sports are key agents of racial socialization. White Sports/Black Sports: Racial Disparities in Athletic Programs challenges the idea that America has moved beyond racial discrimination and identifies the obvious and subtle ways in which racial identities and athletic determinism affect non-white individuals in the world of sports. Author Lori Latrice Martin gives readers a keen awareness of the issues, allowing them to see the links between sports and society as a whole and to perceive that the issues surrounding racism in sports impact people in every realm of life and are not limited to the playing field. She discusses how the media acts as an agent of racial socialization in sports, documents how historical stereotypes of minorities still exist, and looks closely at racial socialization in sports, including basketball, baseball, and football, exposing how blacks remained under-represented in most sports, especially among front office administrators, owners, coaches, and managers. This work serves undergraduate and graduate students in the social sciences to enhance their understanding of minority and majority group relationships and appeals to general readers interested in the history of race and sports in America."--Publisher's web site.

In America in Denial Lori Latrice Martin examines the myth of a race-fair America by reviewing and offering alternatives to universal, race-neutral programs and policies as well as other programs related to wealth, health, education, and criminal justice, while presenting themselves as race-neutral, Martin reveals that black scholars and politicians, in particular, seemingly capitulate and have become proponents of these programs and policies that perpetuate the myth of race-fair America. This (mis)use provides cover for elected officials and presidential hopefuls needed to garner the support and authenticity required to increase public support for their initiatives. These issues must be unpacked and debunked, and the material and nonmaterial harm historically done to black people, and still felt today, must be acknowledged. The idea that programs available to all people will benefit black people is demonstratively untrue, and the alternatives presented in America in Denial will generate much-needed conversations--back cover.

Actually, Samantha had little choice when her own summer plans fell through. Jason's sister needed a music teacher-cum-chaperone and Sam needed a job. But, in spite of its travel opportunities, Samantha wasn't enthusiastic about the position--it meant constant contact with the obnoxious womanizing Jason. "I like my women willing, Ms. Peabody. And there are plenty who are," he'd told her. And he certainly wasn't her type at all. So why worry? Unless perhaps he wasn't quite the shallow playboy she imagined.

In the beautiful North Georgia mountains, blue spruce reach up to heaven. A sense of healing and communion draws Alisha Emerson there. She hopes that her unborn child can grow up in the promising new world she's begun for them both in the village of Dover Mountain. Then her labor begins unexpectedly, and only with the help of a stranger—entrepreneur Jared Murdock—is her son delivered safely.But is Dover Mountain really the sylvan sanctuary of Alisha's daydreams? For although Alisha and Jared appreciate the love of God and neighbor that village life embodies, Dover Mountain incorporates darker elements, as well. Elements such as unwanted pregnancy, drug abuse, violence and blackmail. Together, Alisha and Jared must brave the storm and seek the rainbow that follows, in this captivating story of love, loss and faith regained.

This book sheds light on the phenomenon of white rage, and maps out the uneasy relationship between white anxiety, religious fervour, American identity and perceived black racial progress.