When I play

I sometimes get threatened

That doesn’t stop me

When the pitcher throws the ball at my head

I don’t fight back

I get back up twice as Strong

Why do I not fight back?

I do it for my People

When the racist home team yells at me

I look at my family with Pride

When I hit that ball out of the Stadium

I smile and run and run with

Pride, Strength, Glory, and Courage

When the racist coach is yelling at me

My team stops him

When the other team breaks me down

My team builds me up with Belief

When I pick up that bat

I am not always accepted by the other team or my own

But the people who can accept everyone

Not because of their color

But because of their Heart

Those people are on my Team

Max McConnell

Age 10, Grade 4

Freemansburg Elementary School

Bethlehem Area School District