Young Black Man

young black man
as you stand on the precipice
of manhood

what can i know
of the giants you will face
and if they'll lift you up or knock you down

what can i know
of your invisible bruises
from leaping and landing too hard too many times

what can i know
of your dreams and if you will hold fast
or sell them to the highest bidder

i know only what i see--
the ball is in your court, in your hands
and the drive, steadfast i pray, in your heart

**********

Yesterday at school, the faculty faced the students on the court. In the morning, the women and girls played and in the afternoon, the men and boys. (more on that later) Also yesterday, the Washington Post began an ongoing series called Being a Black Man. The first article began:

What does it mean to be a black man? Imagine three African American boys, kindergartners who are largely alike in intelligence, talent and character, whose potential seems limitless. According to a wealth of statistics and academic studies, in just over a decade one of the boys is likely to be locked up or headed to prison. The second boy -- if he hasn't already dropped out -- will seriously weigh leaving high school and be pointed toward an uncertain future. The third boy will be speeding toward success by most measures.

I selected the photo above and had begun the draft of the poem for today's post before I read the article. As an teacher, it is difficult to accept those statics regarding any student, no matter what their sex, race or ethnicity. As a matter of fact, I don't accept them...not for my kids. So there.

Comments

[Rebekah]

Your kids are blessed, and because of you, will head toward the fate of the third young man. What a dismal, depressing article. How would I feel if my potential was summed up so negatively? Your poem is great - and the pictures. I can never say enough. I don't even know what to say. I'm drawn in.

[abhay]

Hi,
The poem is just great...very profound...along with the article and the photograph...
Challenges for a young black man are many...

[Paris Parfait]

This is wonderful and profound, Susan. Thank you for this sensitive, insightful piece of writing.