In her visit to Phoenix, Lisa Lucas discovered Thelma Thall, a trailblazing female table tennis champion of the 1950s who confronted sexism and antisemitism. Thall not only excelled in her sport but also played a critical role in ping-pong diplomacy during the 1970s, using her game to facilitate U.S.-China relations. The challenges she faced sparked the creation of "Ping," a novella co-authored with Steven Landsberg, addressing enduring societal issues like antisemitism and sexism within sports. The article highlights the historical context of antisemitism in sports and its persistent manifestations today.
Lisa Lucas reveals how Thelma Thall broke barriers in the male-dominated world of table tennis, becoming a pioneer amid gender norms and prejudices of her time.
The novella, Ping, penned by Lucas and co-author Steven Landsberg, delves into themes like antisemitism, sexism, and generational trauma, reflecting on sports' societal impact.
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