Playing to the end : elder Black men, placemaking, and dominoes in Denver /
"In Playing to the End, Steve Bialostok immerses readers in the vibrant world of the card room at Denver's Hiawatha Davis Jr. Recreation Center, where a group of older Black men gather to play dominoes, exchange playful banter known as "talking shit," and cultivate a space of bel...
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| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
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Lincoln :
University of Nebraska Press,
[2026]
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| Series: | Anthropology of contemporary North America.
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| Subjects: |
| Summary: | "In Playing to the End, Steve Bialostok immerses readers in the vibrant world of the card room at Denver's Hiawatha Davis Jr. Recreation Center, where a group of older Black men gather to play dominoes, exchange playful banter known as "talking shit," and cultivate a space of belonging. More than just a game, their gatherings are acts of Black placemaking-resisting cultural erasure, gentrification, and societal marginalization while fostering joy, resilience, and community. Through five years of ethnographic study, Bialostok reveals how these men transform the card room into a sanctuary of identity and defiance, where humor and camaraderie become tools of self-determination. As they navigate the pressures of a changing neighborhood, their interactions affirm the power of play, talk, and collective memory in sustaining Black spaces. Playing to the End is a compelling testament to the significance of these gatherings and the ongoing struggle for autonomy, cultural affirmation, and social connection in an inequitable world. "-- Provided by publisher. |
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| Physical Description: | xvii, 224 pages : illustrations, map ; 23 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: | 9781496244710 1496244710 9781496244963 1496244966 |