Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete

Research the NFL’s so-called Rooney Rule. How—if at all—has the rule helped to create more and better opportunities for black coaching staff?

Consider the Epilogue, in which Rhoden offers some glimpses of hope. As this book was published in 2006, have any of his ideas presently come to fruition?

What role has social media begun to play in how black athletes are presented and are able to present themselves?

After reading the book, how has your impression of Michael Jordan or other African American athletes changed?

Rhoden begins most chapters with a Biblical quote, including several sections from Exodus. Explain his choices and his strategy for using these quotes.

Rhoden claims, in no uncertain terms, that de-segregation was harmful to young black athletes and to the black cause in general. Make a case for whether this is true or not true.

While Rhoden mentions the commercial success of O.J. Simpson, he doesn’t mention Simpson’s notoriety in terms of his trial for murder or his subsequent legal troubles. For what reasons does Rhoden avoid detailing these parts of Simpson’s legacy?

Rhoden spends very little time—just one chapter—discussing the dilemma of African American female athletes, suggesting that there simply isn’t a large enough sample size to do a proper exploration. How have things changed for black female athletes since his book was published in 2006?