BOOK COVER MAGAZINE - SUMMER EDITION - 2017

SUMMER EDITION BOOKCOVERMAG.COM JULY 1, 2017
A MALE PERSPECTIVE
Akin Victor
Five games into the league’s 13th
season, my dad finally showed up,
sullenly seated, without encouragement
or excitement. I did well that night by
scoring 17 points, 8 assists, and 2 steals.
As the season progressed, I couldn’t
convince him, or anyone else to show up
to lend support and encouragement my
adolescent mind needed. My confidence
and resolve fell considerably.
By the end of the season, I concluded that
no one cared; so why should I? In one
swoop went my hoop dreams, as losing
one’s dreams equates to an altering
reality. My reality was deeply altered by
two bad decisions. With a temporary loss
of hope, feeling of repair and
hopelessness or self-belief I threw my
arms around the streets warmly.
In its simplest form, belief is a state of
mind which has to be instilled in an
individual at one point or another, with
the youth being most receptive and in
need. It is a learned state of mind based
on what one is told, experiences, or
observes. Therefore, the proverbial term,
“Each one, teach one,” is aptly applied.
Having been in that young man’s shoes in
my youth and knowing the potentially
dangerous twists and turns lying ahead if
he stays in a negative state of mind in
regard to his existence, I felt compelled
as an individual of society, who crossed
his path to give him the reassurance that
he needed to hear.
Society is partly defined as a
“collective of humans,” and portions of
society can either succeed or fail based on
the upbringing of its youth. This is why
they have to be observed, supported, and
encouraged until they are prepared to
mentally handle things on their own.
Otherwise, we’ll have fewer dreamers,
made to be believers, who eventually
become achievers.
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