Athletes Black and Blind

Jordan takes a great many hard shots from Rhoden, who says today's black athletes like Jordan "have abdicated their responsibility to the community with an apathy that borders on treason."

"When the face of black sports is Kobe Bryant or Mike Tyson or even a raging capitalist like Bob Johnson, it's clear that the sense of a larger mission has collapsed," he writes. "More than politicians or clergy, contemporary black athletes have unfettered access to young minds, even when at times they seem to have lost their own. They exercise phenomenal influence on styles and tastes, but their reach could potentially extend so much wider, and deeper."

For example, Rhoden feels black athletes did not do enough in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina destroyed thousands of homes and displaced thousands of families, many of them black. While some athletes did donate their time and money, Rhoden notes that no one really stepped up to "galvanize the collective power of African-American professional athletes to create a more far-reaching initiative," he says.

Where was the teamwork many of these athletes display in their sports? Rhoden asked.

But as his book title suggests, these players can redeem themselves. Rhoden proposes creating a national organization of professional black athletes to use their wealth and influence to improve the economic condition of many black folks who can't afford to even go to their games.

I agree with Rhoden: To whom much is given, much is required.

To become a member of the Color of Money Book Club, all you have to do is read the recommended book. Then we chat online about the book. In addition, every month I randomly select readers to receive a copy of the book, donated by the publisher. For a chance to win a copy of "Forty Million Dollar Slaves," send an e-mail to colorofmoney@washpost.com. Please include your name and address so we can send you a book if you win.

If you are interested in discussing this month's book selection, join me online at http://www.washingtonpost.com on Thursday, March 1, at noon Eastern Time. Rhoden will join me and take your questions.

· On the air: Michelle Singletary discusses personal finance Tuesdays on NPR's "Day to Day" program and online athttp://www.npr.org.

· By mail: Readers can write to her at The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.

· By e-mail:singletarym@washpost.com.

Comments and questions are welcome, but because of the volume of mail, personal responses are not always possible. Please note that comments or questions may be used in a future column, with the writer's name, unless a specific request to do otherwise is indicated.