Knuckle Up

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — October 17th, 2003

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Knuckle Up

The world is bananaz. 

Curious George is running loose in the White House with his finger his mouth getting us in trouble (courtesy of Dr. Carr), Kobe's personal issues going public are making society question the sanctity of marriage and the quality of the black athlete and let's not forget last Saturday.

There had to be something in the air. Two fights broke out within the span of a couple of hours. First, FAMU throws a temper tantrum in our locker room after their poor Homecoming performance. Please believe I was doubtful after watching the Rattlers thrash Jackson State at the Circle City Classic in amazing fashion. 

But I forgot, any given Saturday, anything can happen. Besides, it's hard for a Rattler to strike one Bison when there's a stampede. They need to suck it up and deal with it. You lost, twice. 

Then, in Game 3 of the ALCS series, the Red Sox and Yankees heated rivalry turned into a five-alarm fire.

Answer me this... 

Why does a 72-year old man deem it necessary to get in on the action by charging the field, only to get slammed, face first mind you, by Pedro Martinez. I was rollin'. 

Wars, fights and lies...life is way too serious. We need an escape from this reality?

Ah ha, Videogames. I am a big kid who plays videogames whenever I can. 

But I am scared. Technology is getting out of hand. These games look too real and soon athletes are going to all be digital. 

Society is going back to the past with retro this, retro that, let's bring retro videogames back.

I am talking going back to 1985 with the 8-bit Nintendo. Getting the Mario and Duck Hunt combo. Putting the gun to the screen because it's too far from the couch. 

And who could forget my favorite, Contra. Up, down, up, down...you know the rest. Getting 99 lives and telling your friend, "you take the top and I'll take the bottom," fighting over who would get the "spread" ammo.

What about Double Dribble with their slow motion black and white dunks, ohh boy and Tecmo Bowl with the untouchable Bo Jackson and Walter Payton. It'll be first and goal and you could drop back to your 10-yard line and throw it the length of the field... TOUCHDOWN.

The original Mike Tyson's Punch Out. The code to get to the Sandman and I don't think I ever beat Mike Tyson, he was hella hard.

And who could forget Track and Field with the Power Pad. Your feet couldn't go that fast so you cheated and used your hands. 

Man, those were the days. And who remembers "The Wizard?"(If you haven't seen it , go rent it.)

See. I made you forget about all your problems. Why not go out and buy a piece of historic memorabilia that won't cost three bills and the only trouble you'll have is to blow on the cartridge every once in a while.