This poem is in response to a quote which is not in the video: "I'm glad my parents were rich, because they stressed education and family." -Tiger Woods Let's be facebook and tumblr friends! (www.facebook.c... / alvinlau )
I don't think you quite get it. He says that Tiger Woods could've been the idol for everyone who works hard enough to achieve a goal, but instead he sells out and money became his center core of living.
"I'm glad my parents were rich, because they stressed education and family." - Tiger Woods, you can find a link to Alvin's other performance of this poem on his youtube profile citizenwind
This guy was at my school the other day and he tore it up!!! I absoutely fell in love with him!! His poems and the story behind them are so powerful and deep, me being as hard as I am, almost cried on a couple of them. It was great!!! Alvin Lau's New BIGGEST FAN!!
But it seems Tiger's statement is misconstrued so, as to be that he's down on his (1/3 of his) own people, its a sad fact that certain groups don't value education as part of their culture while others do. I belive thats what Tiger was trying to express.
congrats on getting onto HBO...but they didn't show you say the Tiger Woods quote, so I think it would be hard for TV audiences to understand the poem.
If you disagree with my views heres a reading list for you or anyone here to thumb through. These intelligent brothers (white or black) have spent their life in dedication to "the people". Carter G Woodson "Miseducation of the Negro" Howard Zinn "Peoples History of the US" Amartya Sen "Development as Freedom" Michael Eric Dyson&Cornel West Lerone Bennett Jr "Before the Mayflower" for those who would like to know black americas struggles & triumphs from the first slaves till today.God Bless
continued..Your criticisms aren't going to awaken the "black community" to anything we aren't already concious of.Your here rambling soo poorly about what the people see so clear.You think people want to live in drug zones filled with crime?Their sons having a better chance of being killed or going to jail then starting college?No my EDUCATED BROTHER they don't.Blacks don't need your criticism to change they need the means to change.Which leads me to my next and final point....
You claim to be familiar with Dr.Dyson & West yet your entire point of view opposes their entire work. Even Cornel West himself while Cosby's criticisms have some truth or validity they are obviously misplaced. Dr.Dyson came to the same conclusion citing his (cosbys) points of views are confined to the limits of his understanding and education of the very people he is talking about. I say the same to you, as you fall into this very same category.You think your personal criticisms are going to
Brother you really need to get Educated honestly. I don't say that as a diss or to put you down. I'm here talking about Carter,Dyson, and Cornel West and your using Charles Barkley,Chris Rock and Bill Cosby as your references in this discussion. Its easy to be ashamed or deny the existence of something you don't understand (the black community). Yet with a greater understanding not just limited to your own personal experiences I think your views will change.
Well if you haven't read Mr.Woodson's book at this stage in the game thats your problem there. This man has put countless time and effort into his research and execution into that book. Yet you ride the tide of some miseducated rabble rouser speaking not of intelligence just raw opinion, and self-hating stereo types. The black community has always existed still does exist and will always exist. There are a few insecure blacks out there who like a "End to blackness" as Debra Dickerson puts it
Bill Cosby of all the names listed belongs at the top. At least Tiger trys to remain neutral as Cosby did through out the 80's and 90's but when this man (cosby) finally decides to speak he has the audacity to attack the very community he claims he is apart of. The "keepin it real" gestures are just small SYMPTOMS not the source of the "illness" itself. Cosby doesn't want to "pick on someone his own size" as Proffesor Michael Eric Dyson puts it. He rather insult those who don't have a voice.
For some it may be hard to relate if you aren't a minority to understand what "we" are saying. Its quite upsetting when you have some who is apart of your race or ethnicity be it black or asian and they turn there backs. Its upsetting to see a Bill Cosby, Condoleeza Rice, or that asian reporter or Fox news always making racist comments directed toward her own. Inside you know they are misguided, misdirected, and of course MISEDUCATED.
Black America,Asia America,Latino America, as well as White America does exist. If you find it more comfortable to assimilate yourself into the latter and assume this individualistic mindset be my guess. Just don't waist your time and others commenting on something you claim is fictional or doesn't exist.
That's cool...but what is with dissing on Tiger. I get the cleaver pun but your still quoting the American Dream, which is to make it. Well your making it, your still breathing and not starving with a bloated stomach. Sorry that your not rich and that you don't wanna be?
@mientememami koran-esque, well that's a very unfortunate invention. I think this really highlight your ignorance of the Quran or bigotory towards Muslims. Quite sad but I guess you are a product of your surroundings and you are representing well.
just because Tiger Woods says this doesn't mean he knows what poverty is. He just is ignorant and this poem shouldn't be just a rant about how you hate Tiger Woods, it should be about his ignorance
what exactly did tiger say missed that part and as me being a black female honestly doesnt to me represent any of his culture that's why i don't support him anymore
can some1 reply to me this meesage of this poem ? is he hating on tiger cause of he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth or what cause idk soz about this =)
words cant move a mountain so yea i got the context of what he said but to me ppl should never embrace or idolize man cuz men have faults so when u idolize then u forget this so yea tiger if u said it shame of u but lau dont forget his just like us except with with a bigger bank account
thats what i'm talking about! tiger you couldve have been more of an inspiration for minorities and not just another athlete...another talented black dude that impresses white people in their own sport
@mientememami your comment implied some sort of irrationality in the manner in which Muslims follow their faith which shows how ignorant your are. Your comment may have been posted 2 yrs ago but it is still live and you need to understand that. If you dont wanna be challenged then you put them down otherwise its free for all.
@Tony434343 it's a reply to the quote from Tiger woods in the description. Tiger, perhaps inadvertently, made a value judgment about whether poor people care about family and education.
@citizenwind Please Do.. 1st, Great Job On A Monumental, Unforgettable, & Unparalelled Performance W/This One.. 2nd, We Now Need One That Reflects On His Current Hardships, & Asks Him, How Does It Feel To Be Reminded Of His Minority Roots & True Blackness By Those He Tried So Hard To Be One With? To Spend Years Ignoring & Denyin' The Culture That Runs Through The Blood In His Veins, Now HE's The One THEY'RE Done With? He Could've Been/Done So Much More Than Be Just The Next Big Disappointment..
@azngorillaman it is about his ignorance and how he could have been an idiol for minorities a role model instead he's another athlete who only cares about himself.
Again I'll say you need to educate yourself. You retreating back to your "Masta's Degree" only reinforces what Ive been talking about the entire time. That doesn't make you any more up on the issues afflicting the black community you claim doesn't exist then I. I love my black people, I love my black community, I'm not turning my back, I'm not turning my cheek, I'm not going to dissimilate myself into individual nothingness to avoid being grouped with them.
