Position:Home>Poetry> In the poem "American Hero" by Essex Hemphill why wouldn’t people chee
Question: In the poem "American Hero" by Essex Hemphill why wouldn’t people cheer if the speaker moves “on the block”!?
American Hero by Essex Hemphill
I have nothing to lose tonight!.
All my men surround me, panting,
as I spin the ball above our heads
on my middle finger!.
It’s a shimmering club light
and I’m dancing, slick in my sweat!.
Squinting, I aim at the hole
fifty feet away!. I let the tension go!.
Shoot for the net!. Choke it!.
I never hear the ball
slap the backboard!. I slam it
through the net!. The crowd goes wild
for our win!. I scored
thirty-two points this game
and they love me for it!.
Everyone hollering
is a friend tonight!.
But there are towns,
certain neighborhoods
where I’d be hard pressed
to hear them cheer
if I move on the block!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Because he's black, he wouldn't be welcome in white neighborhoods!. Cops would inevitably question him, or he'd be glared at till he left or chased out of the neighborhood by angry teens or young adults!.!.!.!.
And all of this would happen despite the fact that white folks love basketball, let their kids play it, watch it on TV or go to the stadium to see it, etc!. etc!. It's like when tons of white people listened to Nat King Cole and loved him, but when he moved into their neighborhood, plenty of those same white people wanted him out!.Www@QuestionHome@Com