LeBron James did it. Allen Iverson did it. Gary Payton did it. They proved if you're an athletes, and have the skills, perserverance and dedication, it doesn't matter where you come from, you can succeed. If only that were true. Unfortunately, the American sports dream, to play at the highest level of professional sport is simply that. A dream. Of the 541,054 high school basketball players only 3.4 percent will go onto playing basketball in college, of those 1.2 percent of them will be in the pros. And once they make it there, there can only be one "LeBron James", per say.
Hoop Dreams follows the life of two inner city boys from Chicago, Arthur Agee and William Gates. Beginning at the ripe age of 14 the documentary follows their lives throughout high school as both boys attempt to reach their dream of laying in the NBA. At the age of 14 two things immediately become crystal clear. These boys share a true, genuine love for the sport of basketball, and not only that, but they see it as the only way to get their families out of the projects. The film stresses the differential treatment among colored and white athletes, not even just on the court, but also in the classroom. Both boys test poorly in classes, Arthur struggles to pay for school at St.Josephs and is forced to leave, while William is allowed to stay. This movie highlights the fact that, sports is the only way to open a door to certain opportunities for underprivileged African Americans. Without the aide of an athletic scholarship, college would not be possible for boys like William and Arthur.
As the movie progresses, we see William began to lose joy in playing basketball. It no longer was something he genuinely enjoyed, but it became more of a job. If William couldn't shoot well, he would be considered obsolete to the school and lose his tuition. Ultimately, the viewers and William know, that basketball is not just a way out of the ghetto, but it is a business.
Hoops Dreams demonstrates life for Black Americans in the projects, and the role of sport in US society as a whole. Watching the movie, it is unfortunate that we don't hear more about the sacrifices that athletes make to become to where they are. Furthermore, it is unfortunate that many children see sport as the only way for their families to escape the projects.
Loved the blog. I also find it very sad that some of these kids put all of their eggs in one basket and then have a bad fall or injury That ruins their career in a heartbeat.
ReplyDelete-Ikko Saito
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ReplyDeleteLike Ikko said it's sad that a lot of times student-athletes only focus on the athlete part. Do you think that our society should focus more on the student part to benefit the athletes? Do you think there is even a chance that our society could change?
ReplyDelete-Baber
Nice job looking at this issue from the film on a deeper level than just what's on the surface.
ReplyDelete~Brittainy