POSTPONED Air Jordan: The Making and Meaning of an American Icon | Dr. Johnny Smith
Join award-winning historian Johnny Smith as he takes us on a journey to understand Michael Jordan's cultural significance and meaning. What does Jordan’s story help us see about the story of America? How can sports help us better understand the values and priorities, tensions and conflicts of American life? What is gained and what is lost when sports figures become cultural icons? What can Jordan's pursuit of greatness teach us about our own lives, ambitions, and desires?
The lecture has been postponed for next academic year. If you would like to be updated on the new date/time, please fill out the form below.
Johnny Smith is the Julius C. "Bud" Shaw Professor of Sports History at Georgia Tech. An expert in the history of sports and American culture, he has authored or co-authored five books, with subjects ranging from the UCLA basketball dynasty to Mickey Mantle to the friendship between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X. His books have received multiple honors and awards, and in 2021 Netflix released Blood Brothers: Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali, a feature documentary based on Smith's work. His latest book is Jumpman: The Making and Meaning of Michael Jordan.