There’s always one. That kid who deflects our attention
either through humor, wit, intimidation, or raw brilliance from an embarrassing
truth. I remember that kid well. He was the class clown, who’d have you in
stitches, even managing to conjure a chuckle or two from the teacher. But,
there are but so many jokes before the truth comes is revealed. There he was,
for all to see and hear, as if caught red handed for an egregious offense. Suddenly
he wasn’t so funny. Suddenly he was tragically human. Every word he uttered was
laborious and painful to hear. Words he should have known at least two, even
three grades ago are a struggle to emit. A strained silence envelopes the
class, accompanied by confusion, shock, even empathy. However, that will soon
be overshadowed by the cruelty of children.
Recent allegations of Floyd Mayweather, Jr.’s struggles with
literacy abound, due to former best friend now antagonist Curtis “50 Cent”
Jackson’s rather unique ALS challenge. The allegations seemed to be confirmed
after Power 105’s “The Breakfast Club” aired an archival recording of
Mayweather reading, rather attempting to read a promotional “drop” for the
station. The painful rendering has since gone viral. The cynic in me clearly
sees this as Karma. Mayweather has made his fortune demeaning others leading up
to his bouts, which one can write off as gamesmanship. However, if you’ve ever
tuned into All Access or his social media exploits one will see this
“gamesmanship” extends beyond actual opponents, as has been the case with Manny
Pacquiao, Andre Ward, or a member of the Money Team.
The social justice side of me rejects the notion that there
is anything particularly funny about illiteracy. This sudden revelation of
Mayweather’s literacy woes testifies to the greater reality that there are many
other athletes, particularly at the collegiate level whose only worth is their
physical prowess. One can relegate such a dilemma to a form of slavery. If not
for their bodies, what are they without an adequate education? This might
explain Mayweather’s legendary commitment to his craft. Perhaps this fear is
what drives him. He is one punch, one career ending injury away from a
frightening reality. I can’t help but believe that behind the brash and the
obsession with wealth is that terrified poor kid from Michigan, with a severely
limited education, who knows if not for those gifted hands, he’s back to that
over crowded, underserved, dilapidated square one.
Education is liberty. The more you know the more you grow, the more you learn the more you earn,
goes the adage. These bodies will betray, but education last a lifetime. The Oprah in me would like to believe
Mayweather would see this moment as an opportunity. Now that he’s been outed, I believe he can do with this, as
he is renowned for in the ring, deflecting what is meant to devastate him and
countering with a powerful shot of his own. Imagine what would happen if Floyd
Mayeather, Jr. owned this moment? Imagine the impact the world’s richest
athlete and boxing’s brightest star could have if he didn’t just flash a
massive check in reply, but actually committed himself to becoming literate and
by doing so inspire other public figures to come forward?
Hi, I’m Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and I have a literacy problem.
Make no mistake, Mayweather, is not an anomaly, just take a
gander at the social media musings of his fellow celebrities, including 50
Cent. It’s not like they are paragons of literacy either. Just think of the
broad light he could shine on the inequities of our education system particularly
when it comes to the poor, even further exposing the absurdity of many college
athletic programs’ claims to encourage student athleticism? Mayweather has
nothing to be ashamed of. When you consider his backstory, the legendary
dysfunction that is his family, the fact that he is where he is, is the stuff
of miracles. The shame would be if he ignored this moment completely and
continued to peddle the lie that because he has a hefty bank account, for now,
that somehow that’s all that matters. He would be failing himself, he would be failing
his family, and the community of impressionable souls, both young and old who’d
like to believe that lie.
As I see it, Mayweather has a tremendous opportunity to join
that rare breed of star athlete who can transcend his sport socially. Affording
him the opportunity to not simply be a significant sports figure, but a man of
significance.
