My boys say the only way outta the hood
is with a pass – a basketball pass.
My boys say the only way outta the hood
is with a jump – a jump shot.
My boys say the only way outta the hood
is with a high average – a points-per-game average.
Just because I’m black and over six feet six
don’t mean my life is defined
by the baselines of a basketball court,
that my worth is graded on how high I can leap,
and my future is measured by my variety of slam dunks.
I got a brain beyond basketball,
a heart beyond hoops,
but who will know or care about that?
Dudes look and me and say,
“Can he score in the paint?”
I got other dreams, guys,
even if I don’t know what they are right now.
THE POETRY OF THE GAME