tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864259.post-7396442174582282472007-09-13T23:27:00.000-04:002007-10-14T16:06:54.145-04:00A poem, <strike>third</strike> fourth draft:It’s okay. The Grand National Nightmare is over – Barry Bonds FINALLY hit those fucking home runs. Now we can move on to hating Michael Vick because electrocuting puppies is waaay worse than doing steroids. And since he happens to be black, we won’t have to demonize any white athletes. But first, Picture four friends. They are 12, and walking back from school. They see a girl beating down some dude, yelling to give back her headphones, encouraged by the friends that surround them. One of her people says the white kid is laughing at her. Three friends are named 'Aamir, Shapel and Kareem. The fourth is Benjamin. He is surrounded, and hit twice and they laugh. They take the Yankee hat Kareem just bought because they won the World Series and the rest of the city is celebrating. Because of this you know in your stomach that when a friend cracks wise about his latest DWB, it's not just an attempt at black humor. We are the sons and daughters of the Civil Rights generation, and for the first time <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place> is exploring how it works when the dominant popular culture is colored. Our poetry has become Def, Jammed into breakbeats and sped-up soul samples, stomped around in Air Force Ones and steel-toed Timberland boots, our flat-brimmed fitteds sittin' sideways bling so bright you can see it in the dictionary. But all the ice shines cold light in distracting directions and the snow trapped in the mainstream makes music like Minstrels. These are some things you probably know: Barry Lamar Bonds. Leftfield. <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">San Francisco</st1:place></st1:city> Giants. Black. Already established as the best player of his generation, Bonds hits 351 home runs after the age of 35. He collects four straight MVPs. This is one more than anyone has ever earned in their entire career. He is named in a federal investigation regarding illegal performance-enhancing drugs. As is Gary Sheffield, black, a training partner who couldn't keep up with the regimen. Reporters seek <st1:place st="on">Sheffield</st1:place> for comment. Two books are written. The world wants its records back.These are some things you should know if you don't: William Roger Clemens Pitcher <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state> Yankees White A one-time phenom thought to be on the decline, Clemens wins four Cy Young Awards for three teams after the age of 34. This is one less than anyone has ever earned in their entire career. He is named in a federal investigation regarding illegal performance enhancing drugs. As is Andy Pettitte, white, a training partner who couldn't keep up with the regimen. Reporters pass Pettitte by for comment. There are no books, and Clemens gets paid $18 million to start the season two months late, and only join the team on days he is pitching. Sports they can be at the forefront of society. Baseball broke the color barrier seven seasons before Brown beat the Board of Education And now that Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith squared off as coaches in the Super Bowl, their landmark leadership showcased on sports' most spectacular stage, maybe just maybe we’re prepped for a black President. In politics. We are Team <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Fuck. Yeah. Just remember, don't hate the players, hate the games we keep playing with race. <o:p></o:p> Because until I can’t update this poem with parables, we’re still separate on unequal fields.The Brooklyn Boynoreply@blogger.com