I came across an interesting article that's kind of goofy but still had a lot of connections with our class. http://theundefeated.com/features/how-black-utah-jazz-players-have-embraced-salt-lake-city/
The brunt of the article describes a struggle for black NBA players to establish a space in the overwhelmingly white city of Salt Lake City, Utah. The city boasts a 2% black population amid a sea of mormonism. And so, just as the article lays out, there can be a real culture shock for NBA players who find themselves playing for the Utah Jazz. A lot of these kids come from Southern neighborhoods, housing projects, devoutly religious households, and any number of places where there is a strong, black culture. Since the NBA has a drafting system and players can be traded often at any moment, sometimes you don't choose Utah, Utah chooses you. And so, what do you do when you move to a place that doesn't really reflect your culture? You try to establish your culture within that place! The article talks about a few institutions in Salt Lake City that have become hubs for African-American gathering and discourse, and also paints a picture of warm mutual respect as far as race relations in the city go. And if you're looking for good soul food, stay out of Utah.
I really like how this connects to the creation of spaces that we discussed often in class. By creating a space you are forcing people to acknowledge your existence and provide you with respect and autonomy.
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