The real you comes to the surface...

For the record this incident happened about 3 weeks ago. I wasn't sure if I should even take the time to address this in my heart due to the total lack of tact people use when saying their true feelings. But as the old saying goes..."When a man shows you who he is, believe him."

My manager who is alleged Jewish decided that he would put some of heritage to work that his people have shown as comedians to good use. However, he did more than tell a joke. He exposed his soul briefly and let his true nature of a bigot and an insecure man show.

Yes, it's true. I play basketball. And before all the injuries, I was considered a player going somewhere with my game. However, today I only play for fun and the love of the game. And even though this was an "corporate event", I truly wanted to win. Well, long story short, of course I'm the only brother (black man) on the team and the other team had 4 former college players (3 Black and one Asian), and they were on the short side, but these cats could ball. Well, after being down 15 early, I decided to be a little more selfish and take some control. Well, with 2 minutes left I got the game within in 5. I blocked a shot which led to a lay up. They came back and scored, I got the ball came off a screen and knocked down a short jump shot. But just as they were about to inbound the ball I saw my chance. With only a few seconds on the clock I tipped the inbound pass, chased the ball to the corner, turned and elevated as I heard the crowd yell "4, 3, 2,...

I let the ball fly from my finger tips. The perfect follow through. My fingers spread, my wrist popped, and my form was perfect, only to see my shot fall short and hit the side of the rim. Game over.

Well, its whatever. I shook the other team's hand like a gentleman, we exchanged jokes and headed back to the bench. Everyone else stayed on the court except me and the manager. And what was said next rather puzzled me. "Dang. We would have one if we had more black guys on the team. "

I just got up and walked away. Because to me....Everything made perfect sense at that moment. For every time I heard " I have plenty of black friends" or "I grew up around black people" made me realize they were trying to make themselves comfortable about me being black and intelligent. It wasn't the fact I'm almost 6'6 and have broad shoulders. It bothered them cause I don't have gold teeth, don't smell like weed, don't have a 20" plus rims. And it upset them because I use correct English and I stood up for myself. It made them uncomfortable that I'm strong in mind, body, and spirit. And that I could not and would not conform to their way of thinking, living, or business. I am what God made me...A black man.

But in the end, it's nice to know where people's hear lay. Don't look for me to be here at T-Mobile too much longer. I'm looking to get more out of life. Peace.