In this episode, from our series on Teach the Black Freedom Struggle, our host, Jesse Hagopian, a high school teacher, speaks to The Nation sports editor and host of the Edge of Sports Podcast, Dave Zirin, about his book, The Kaepernick Effect: Taking a Knee, Changing the World.

Zirin talks in-depth about the “Kaepernick Effect” and the similarities between the NFL quarterback’s protest and the legendary Olympic medal stand protest in 1968, and the countless actions they inspired. Zirin shares some of the stories he came across during the writing of the book, including high school students and specifically Black girls. Zirin also discusses the consciousness of younger people, their political awakening, and how the 2020 uprising influenced these dynamics. Read about the event and find related resources.