SCET Journal 2020/2021

« Race Matters

My Hero Never Showed Up

Shavoyae Brown

So as I teach myself to fly I stopped asking myself “why” Without the presence of my hero That portion of my heart will remain a zero

A failure to launch because of my fear My wings were clipped before I moved my lips I am kind; I am black; I am fear; My hero never showed up. I am loving; I am black; I am fear; My hero never showed up. I have purpose; I am black; I am fear; My hero never showed up. Not knowing what I had done to cause this shift The fear in my heart obviously forced him to drift The lack of not knowing or scared to ask why I looked to the hills and let out my cry How to change a tire or even check oil I’d never understand the essence of being spoiled The pain of heartbreak or even just a loss I’m left wondering why this price came with a heavy cost My hero never showed up Why did he leave? Where did he go? My heart will never know

My hero never showed up So I must press forward And fill my own cup

I am kind! I am black! I am afraid! My hero never showed up. I am a F IGHTER! I am loving! I am black! I am anxious! My hero never showed up. I am R ADIANT! I have purpose! I am black! I am trepidation! My hero never |showed up. I am E DUCATED! I am a conqueror! I am black! I am suspicious! My hero never showed up. I am E XCELLENCE!

My hero never showed up, so I am FREE to be me .

j Shavoyae Brown is a high school English teacher who finds great joy helping students find their voices and discover their purpose both in the classroom and in life. An avid member of Clemson University's Upstate Writing Project — Summer Institute 2020, he recently presented his research, “The Voice of the Black Boy,” which addresses the needs of African American male students through engaging texts, building their creative writing fluency, and providing a safe place to express their creativity within a community of mutual understanding.

South Carolina English Teacher

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