Schooled

Content Warning: This section includes discussion of substance use and physical violence.

“It’s what he often did when teachers tried to get in his face: distract them, push back, waste time. But this time, he meant it. Reading out loud wasn’t going to bring Mom home or allow Dad to work less or stop the bullets that killed his neighbor’s grandson in his neighborhood a couple of years ago.”

Lionel contests the significance of education because of the injustice, gang violence, and class struggles around him, illustrating the theme of Social and Educational Struggles in Black Urban Communities. While Paul Langan does not profoundly explore the historical issues and power structures that define Black lives in urban areas, the issue of racism underlies the novel.

“‘Don’t you whatever me, boy. I’m trying to talk some sense into you. School is your ticket out of here, not basketball. Understand?’ his father had said, pointing his arm toward the barred front window that faced Cypress Street. Lionel knew what was out there. Down the block was Kwik Cash, where strangers wandered in at all hours to sell stuff for money. Almost everything there was stolen. Further down was Discount Liquors and Tez’s Lounge, a neighborhood bar with graffiti-stained stucco walls that smelled of urine. The area was dangerous, especially after dark. Some nights, gunshots cracked and popped in the distance.”

Early in the novel, Lionel clashes with his father about sports and education. Lionel’s father wants his son to have a better life and leave the neighborhood. He urges him to focus on school rather than daydreaming about being a basketball player. The quotation uses vivid imagery to describe the story’s stereotypical inner-city setting. Langan presents Lionel’s surroundings as destructive and threatening to the protagonist.

“‘What? You want some, little man?’ Steve said, holding his arms out. ‘I hope you brought a change of clothes ’cause I’ma wipe this court up with you.’”

Steve, a varsity player who challenges Lionel in a game, embodies the stereotypical image of the Black athlete. Steve speaks English in slang, and Langan keeps intact his elisions and casual grammar. Steve also exhibits hypermasculine aggressive behavior. Lionel contrasts this attitude; he focuses on his love for sports and proves himself through skill rather than violence.