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Sherman Lecture Examines Sports, Protests and Global Politics

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Amira Rose Davis will deliver the Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecture on the topic “From Raised Fists to Bended Knees: Sports, Protests and Global Politics” at 7:30 p.m. March 24. Davis will also participate in a roundtable panel discussion at 7 p.m. March 25. Both presentations are virtual. 
 
Davis is an assistant professor of history and African American studies at Pennsylvania State University who specializes in 20th century American history with an emphasis on race, gender, sports and politics. She also provides sports commentary for media outlets such as NPR, ESPN and BBC, and is the co-host of the podcast, “Burn it All Down.” 
 
She will examine how race, gender and sports have intersected with politics. Focusing on the period after World War II, she will analyze the roles that Black female athletes played on the global stage as the United States, Cuba and other governments vied for power and influence.  
 
Her lecture will be followed March 25 with a roundtable discussion at 7 p.m. Panelists in addition to Davis are Marcia Chatelain, Georgetown University; Jay Smith, UNC-Chapel Hill; Deborah White, Rutgers University; and Louis Moore, Grand Valley State University. The moderator will be Glen Harris, UNCW associate professor of history. 
 
The Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecture Series was established by Philip Sherman and Ann Sherman-Skiba, along with their spouses, in honor of their parents, Virginia and Derrick Sherman. The elder Shermans were lifelong learners who particularly valued the history department’s public programs. 
 
“For 19 years, the Sherman Lecture has featured the works and ideas of emerging scholars whose research will shape history education and understanding in the years to come,” said Lynn Mollenauer, chair of the Department of History. “We are looking forward to Dr. Davis’ lecture, which examines activism in sports from a historical standpoint, but which also will resonate with contemporary audiences.”  
 
Registration information for the lecture and the roundtable discussion can be found here.  
 
-- Tricia Vance 
 
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