What you gave us is a shining life

Alisa 2021-11-19 08:01:27

I came here to teach you how to play basketball, but made you good students; I came here to teach a group of boys, but you have grown into real men.
I think these boys who have transformed into men will never forget their high school basketball coach, the man who changed their destiny, no matter what kind of storm they encounter in their lives. It is not difficult to imagine what the life trajectory of this group of children would be like without the appearance of Coach Carter. After finishing high school or barely graduating, they start to struggle at the bottom of society. Some may become drug dealers and local snakes, and then be held in jail after a few years, and then go round and round; some of them do a little business or become a small employee, often Rely on alcohol or marijuana to paralyze yourself.
Then you showed up, and you told them that everyone has the opportunity to go to university and that everyone can have a different life. These children who grew up in the slums all say bullshit when they hear such words. They never thought that their lives would be changed because of their own efforts, nor did they think that their love of basketball was the best way for them to change their destiny. They just simply love basketball, which is the most important thing in their lives, and maybe occasionally they also fantasize about becoming a superstar of the NBA, but they are limited to fantasies.
When he first appeared on the training ground as a coach, none of the lads even looked at him directly. For them, changing a coach did not mean any change. He taught them the first lesson, discipline. In basketball and football teams, there will be one or two stabs, usually the best players in the team. Taking them unintentionally is the best and fastest way to establish coaching authority. When Cruz was kicked out of the team, the other players understood that this coach was different. He set the discipline of the basketball team for the boys, not to be late, not to contradict the coach, one for all and all for one. He was not in a hurry to teach them skills and tactics, but just started from the most basic physical training. When they won the first game, Cruz wanted to return to the team. He wanted to let him back, but he used the best way to hone him. When he saw Lyle stand up to share the corporal punishment for Cruz, he laughed, and the children understood what a team was. He slowly told them to respect themselves, their opponents, and more importantly, the basketball they love; strive to be the only way to succeed; never give up, and always play with the desire for victory and the heart of champions.
He signed a contract with them and their parents, requiring that the children must have a GPA of 2.3 or higher and must not miss classes. They must sit in the front row for each class and wear a suit and tie before each game. Only in this way can they participate in training. And the game. The children didn't take it seriously. Parents, teachers and principals also dismissed this. After all, this is the most rubbish school in the United States, and this group of children are the students with the worst grades in the school. Who cares whether they can graduate or go to college. All people care about is whether the team can win. Only he cares. He knows that these guys are students first, and players second. If you want to change their fate in college last year, you must pass this hurdle. So he went to the principal and teachers over and over again to check whether the children went to class and what their test scores were. When he knew that the children had not met the requirements of the contract, he was heartbroken, and he angrily threw away the children's report cards on the table. He knew it was time to let the children know that everyone must pay for their commitments and actions.
After sixteen consecutive victories and winning the Gulf Invitational, he closed the basketball hall and cancelled the game and training. He told them that unless everyone can complete everything in the contract, the suspension will continue. The children did not understand, Cruz left the team again. He told the children that the future is in their own hands. Whether to choose to fulfill the contract and start their own different life or choose to live an incurable life like the predecessors, how to choose each person decides for himself. The children are not stupid, but no one taught them before. But the parents disagree, the people in the small town disagree, even the principal disagrees at first. Their reasons are noble. Basketball is everything to these kids. It is one of the few joys and excitements in their lives. You can't deprive them of everything when they have 16 consecutive victories and are likely to win the championship, that's bullshit. The matter also spread to the media, and even held a press conference (this paragraph is a bit funny), and he also appeared on TV. He became a news figure, and they became the focus. He became a target of public criticism. The school could not resist the strong pressure of public opinion, and finally held a hearing, and decided to cancel the suspension by voting. He was relieved, he decided to leave here. But when he walked into the basketball court for the last time in a sad mood, he found that the children were all sitting in the court for self-study. They told him that the school can lift the suspension when they can't let us play. At this moment tears flickered in his eyes, and he knew that everything he did was worthwhile. At this time, Cruz, who was awakened after losing his only relative, stood up and said emotionally the famous speech of Grandpa Mandela: Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't insecure around you. We were all meant to shine,
Our deepest fear is not our own powerlessness. Our deepest fear is our own powerful and unmeasurable power. What frightens us most is not our dark side, but the light we can show. A cringing attitude cannot change the world. Trying to hide yourself makes the people around you feel at ease, let alone make any sense. We should all shine like children. This talent is not limited to specific people, but exists in everyone. When we fulfil our potential, we unknowingly make others feel confident. When we free ourselves from fear, our existence will automatically liberate others.
The following story is self-evident, the children completed the contract through their own efforts, and they can play happily again. Then enter the playoffs, meet the strongest opponent, do your best, and then lose the game and lose the championship.
But winning or losing is not so important anymore, and the championship is not so important anymore. In his mind, the children are already winners, not only on the court, but also for life.
I'm so proud of you, he said to the children. And I think every child will say to you most sincerely in his heart, Thank you Couch Carter. Because you gave them a shining life.

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Extended Reading

Coach Carter quotes

  • Coach Ken Carter: What's your deepest fear?

    Worm: Why he keep saying that? "What's your deepest fear?" What's that mean?

  • Coach Ken Carter: [to the people in attendance at the board hearing] You really need to consider the message you're sending this boys by ending the lockout. It's the same message that we as a culture send to our professional athletes; and that is that they are above the law. If these boys cannot honor the simple rules of a basketball contract, how long do you think it will be before they're out there breaking the law? I played ball here at Richmond High 30 years ago. It was the same thing then; some of my teammates went to prison, some of them even ended up dead. If you vote to end the lockout, you won't have to terminate me; I'll quit.