MARBL’s new collecting focus: African Americans in sports Photo
caption: A few of the items in MARBL's African Americans in
Sports Collection are pictured here, including a publicity photo
of boxer Joe Louis, a ticket stub from his 1938 match against
Max Schmeling, a team photo of the Atlanta Black Crackers and a
Hank Aaron media guide. The Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book
Library (MARBL) recently announced a new collecting focus –
African Americans in sports. The collection brings to light the
effect athletes and others in the sports world had on the civil
rights movement and their struggle to be recognized for the
impact of their achievements on society. “The general public,
even to this day, believes that sports are a trivial endeavor, a
form of entertainment or escapism – and that those who play must
not be skilled at other things, because if they were, why aren't
they doctors or lawyers?” says former NFL player Pellom
McDaniels III, who is a MARBL consultant curator for the
collection. “The complex me