The California sun beat down hard on the asphalt pavement. But the heat did not deter us from one of our favorite pastimes – shooting hoops. Again and again we would fire the ball in the basket, making layups, testing our range, competing to see who had the best style and form.
“Here it is, watch it…Jordaaannn!”
“Check this one out…Scotty!!”
“Ya’ll weak, watch this…KOBE!!!”
To us, colored children of the 90’s, it was more than just sports. Yes, we enjoyed the game, the fun, the competition, but these greats, legends, stars were more than athletic models for us. It would be years before our country would elect a black president, so when we looked around for leaders, people of color who were lauded, respected, famed, celebrated – we saw these basketball and football stars. We saw their hard work ethic, leadership, perseverance and endurance. They were something, someone, we could be proud of.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe in idolizing anyone. Nevertheless, there is something to be said for iconic individuals in society that represent achievement, aspiration and…hope. In a world that doesn’t think highly of young black men, we need these heroes, these models of success that look like us.
As young fellas, shooting around on that court, we never thought, in our young lives, we’d have the chance to vote for a colored man who would become president – a president who enjoyed a good pick-up game himself. A man who understood the significance of the game to us. A man who understood that it is just one representation of the struggle for growth, success and the process of manhood. Kobe Bryant understood this and, despite his imperfection, we are grateful for him, his life and legacy. Our hearts break unspeakably at his and GiGi’s passing, but we will never forget what they symbolized to us.
A Lakers fan forever…Rest in Peace, Black Mamba.
The Wandering Foodie 
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