This is dope!
David Adekoya of the creative collective Ladder Boyz, just published a new book celebrating the impact of Black soccer players on the sport and culture at large, Versus reports. “Are We Allowed to Just Dream?” chronicles the stories of several Black soccer players, deep diving into their triumphs and challenges and the lasting impact they’ve had on the global soccer culture. Paying homage to trailblazers in the sport, Adekoya partnered with a team of creatives, using photography, poetry, and prose to celebrate Black soccer stars while also reckoning with the social ills they face in the sport.
“We aim to reverse the lack of representation by offering a groundbreaking volume that highlights the often-forgotten and under-celebrated moments and individuals that have defined Black football over the years. This book is a celebration of the champions who inspired us to dream, despite being publicly demonised, belittled, ostracised, abandoned, and ridiculed by those who were supposed to support and protect them – the fans and institutions,” reads a statement on the book’s website.
The book features five chapters – Beauty, Gift, Imagination, Action, and Celebration. Self-published by the collective, it is already making waves among soccer fans and hypebeasts alike. The book highlights the career trajectories of some big names in the sport and sparks conversation about the beloved sport’s historical anti-Blackness, which continues to plague Black players today.
“Football has always been my first love. As I developed an interest in coffee table books, I often spent Saturdays browsing Amsterdam bookstores. I’d ask: ‘Do you have anything football-related?’ The answer was usually no…A visit to a friend’s house sparked inspiration when I saw a Zidane book in French. I wondered if similar books existed about the Black heroes I admired growing up. After finding little, the idea resurfaced: to create something to honor the futures I was in awe of and influenced me growing up,” Adekoya explained in a post on social media.
The book is a revolutionary offering two years in the making. It not only amplifies those who have been marginalized in the sport but simultaneously pays homage to the game so many hold dear. With striking visuals, it is a love letter to Black soccer.
Pre-order your copy of “Are We Allowed to Just Dream” HERE.
Cover photo: New Book Celebrates Global Impact of Black Soccer Players/Photo credit: Ladder Boyz/Instagram