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Author
Explores March Madness Scandal of the Past
Auburn Hills, MI
For African American high school basketball players in Wisconsin, March
Madness had an entirely different meaning. Moving into a recently
desegregated suburban neighborhood in the early 1970s, a small contingent
of African American students entered a new world that would change them
forever. Bringing their prowess to their new school, these star basketball
players take a previously unknown school to the brink of the state
championship. Over the course of that year, however, racial tension from
their white coach and the community builds into one infamous moment that
became known as the "West Bloomfield Incident."
Based on true events, Now
Don't Let the Ball Play You: the West Bloomfield Incident (2005)
brings to life an important moment in African American history, when the
actions of a few serves to impact the legacy of an entire community. A
school administrator for over 30 years, author Larry Parham was consumed
with telling this story, having started writing it in the late 1970s. The
story stayed with him for all of those years; driven, he went ahead and
finished the book in 2005.
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"I
was moved by the courage of a handful of African American students who
faced intense discrimination at a turning point in American history,
the integration of white neighborhoods," Parham said. "I also wanted
to show how the love of family can get you through just about
anything."
One of the most interesting things about the book is its relevance to
some of the same issues that affect young African American males in
predominately white schools today, including discrimination,
interracial dating issues, and the pressure of not "making trouble" at
their new school. This story will resonate with today's star athletes
in particular, because they sometimes face the ambiguous situation of
being recruited to play for a school that would otherwise have not
wanted them there in any other capacity. Packed with thrilling
basketball tournament scenes and a romance story, the book also
imparts wisdom about family, true love, and standing up for what is
right.
Larry Parham is
available for interviews. To arrange and interview, call H. Buchanan
at (313) 515-8122 or email aquariuspress@sbcglobal.net. For more
information, visit Mr. Parham's webpage,
www.aquariuspressbookseller.net/parham.html
CONTACT:
Heather Buchanan
aquariuspress@sbcglobal.net
313-515-8122 |
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