Ways of grace : stories of activism, adversity, and how sports can bring us together / James Blake with Carol Taylor.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 221-231) and index.

Introduction: Mistaken identity -- Early trailblazers : accidental activists -- Changing the game : the unifying power of sports -- You run like a girl : gender biases in sports -- Shut up and play : the impetus and social ramifications of sports activism -- More than just a game : sometimes the end justifies the means -- A personal choice : the athlete as activist -- Epilogue: The power of protest.

Like many people of color, Blake has experienced the effects of racism firsthand: first at the U.S. Open, and then in front of his hotel in Manhattan, where he was tackled and handcuffed by a police officer in a case of "mistaken identity." Here he reflects on his experiences and explores those of other sports stars and public figures who have not only overcome adversity, but have used them to unite rather than divide. He reveals how, through seemingly small acts of grace, we can confront hatred, bigotry, and injustice with virtue-- and use it to propel ourselves to greater heights.