Blog Assignmet # 5

What’s Inside You, Brother – Touré

“Life is never faster than in the ring, except when you’re reeling from a razzing punch.” – Touré 725

This entire piece is about one’s man struggle with boxing and life. He finds boxing as a place of fulfillment. Where he can be himself and not have others just simply judge him. He feels a sense of belonging when he is boxing. Boxing makes the character in this entire piece worth living. The quote above pretty much summarizes the entire piece. This is what life is; it has its ups and downs and if you’re not ready to face life head on, you’ll get knocked down with ease.

“But you know all that, so you fire through the round in constant, unstoppable motion, lighting the entire universe on glorious, ecstatic, religious-fervor fire with your Ali-ese, and of Black, and of beauty.” – Touré – 728

This is what most people in life feel every day. We all have problems when it comes to racial stereotype. We all are trying to belong somewhere when the major minority doesn’t allow it. For African Americans it is a constant struggle. They’ve gone through some much abuse throughout history that they would do anything to have a place on this Earth. That goes for any other minority that does not involve the rich white man. We all know they’re the ones in charge of this country. The line above shows the reader how Touré is proud of being who he is. A boxer and black.

“No matter what,” Touré said, looking directly at me, “I’ve got to fight, always fight, even in the face of sure defeat, because no can hurt me as badly as I can.” – Touré 731.

These final few words in the short story are an important message to anyone who reads this. It sends out a good message to the readers. You are your own worst enemy. You can either sit by or watch life go by and let your own “whisper” torment or torture you, like Touré’s whisper – His white classmates and friends. Or you can do something about it and take a stand against what you believe in.