Black Jesus (2002) and Black Jesus: The Anthology (2005/2009) are seminal works by Italian journalist Federico Buffa exploring the cultural, social, and spiritual dimensions of American playground basketball. The books, focusing on legends like Earl "The Goat" Manigault, examine the "street" rules and masculine honor code of New York City basketball culture. Detailed previews and purchase options are available on Google Books Black Jesus. The anthology - Buffa, Federico - Amazon UK
Since I cannot directly access or open PDF files, I’ll provide a critical template and a sample review based on what Buffa’s “Black Jesus” typically refers to: a portrait of Julius Erving (Dr. J) — possibly an expanded reflection on the documentary Black Jesus (or similar themes of basketball, race, and myth in America). Black Jesus Federico Buffa.pdf
Black Jesus is ultimately a story about identity. It explores the burden of a nickname that suggests divinity while the human being struggles with injury, expectations, and the politics of race in 1970s America. Buffa contextualizes Monroe within the era of the Black Freedom Movement, showing how his spin moves and hesitation dribbles were small acts of rebellion and self-expression in a league that initially feared such showmanship. Black Jesus (2002) and Black Jesus: The Anthology