Journal Entry #5

5

• He now has his own place and can't be any happier. He bought his house in Maitland. He says that the house looked like one showed in MTV's Cribs.
• Also, he has now become the parent of two teen aged boys; Jeff and Martin.
• At the age of 29, the coaches are already seeing that Amaechi's abilities and getting weaker.
• Unfortunatly, he was sent packing because Sloan didn't understand him, he didn't understand his sexuality. This is just not a reason to discriminate because his sexuality doesn't ahev anything to do with his ability and gays know how to respect.
• It's been four years since Amaechi retired and he's been living in London and he's having the time of his life. He mentions that though he is extremely private specially with his sexuality, he had the courage to celebrate the Manchester gay pride parade with some friends. "After all, there is still much work to be done" (290).

4

• How did Martin and Jeff feel living with Amaechi?
• Did Amaechi being gay bother them?
• To this day is Amaechi afraid of his preference?
• Is Amaechi now more confortable with his life style?
• How did he think Americans compared to Europeans reacted to him being gay?

3

• Surrogate (224): a person appointed to act for another
• Demystify (224): to rid of mystery
• Innuendo (274): an indirect intimation of a person

2

• "Lord knows, given my teenage drinking exploits" (225). Man vs. Self.
• "His brain waves are constantly humming" (233). Personification.

1

• Amaechi went through a lot, but fortunately persevered through it all. I think that he gives those who are gays or lesbians a talk of his life and tells them not to be afraid because he now feels more relieved and they can live a better and a healthier life.

Journal Entry #4

5

• The NBA start liked playing in Britain because there the people didn't really cover basketball and there was no distraction or attention their personal lives.
• While in Manchester, Amaechi was invited to a gay club by a girl friend and she asked him to be kind, not knowing his likings. While at the club a guy came up to him and told him he knew he was gay.
• Amaechi is now getting a lot of recognition and being asked to sign contracts for larger amounts now up to $17 million.
• Amaechi is doing some flashbacks after he sees so many kids and he remembers that during the summers the family would go on camping trips because his mom worked so much.
• Amaechi decided to pass on one contract but he new there would be others and he was already financially set.

4

• How did he react to people who tried to get into details about his personal life?
• What did Amaechi think when the man came up to him so randomly?
• Did he ever want to go to a club again?
• What were the contractor's reaction when Amaechi said no?

3

• Forays (175): a quick or sudden attack
• Itinerant (176): traveling from place to place
• Jettisoning (220): to cast

2

• "There were many things I wanted to talk about with the beared, leather-jacketed Jackson" (208). Imagery.
• "Tired eyes tinged with envy, and I hate to admit I took some small satisfaction from it" (208), Imagery.

1

• Amaechi has been getting his mind out of the negative stuff and is learning to live his life.

Journal Entry #3

5

• Amaechi is in college and he has lost his mother.
  
• He is very down at this time in his life and all he wants to do is eat sweets. During this time was when he discovered the "American delicacies; Twinkies".
  
• There was a high possibility that Amaechi would not get drafted to the NBA and this would have been very bad because he would only see himself as a failure!
  
• Amaechi got to the NBA !
  
• He decided to play in Athens with former start John Salley.
  

4

• Where was he when his mother died?
  
• Who supported him during his mom's death?
  
• What would Amaechi have become if he didn't make it to the NBA?
  
• How can someone feel so insecure for such a long period of time?
  

3

• Chronicling (129): history
  
• Arsenal (132): a collection of supplies
  
• Drachmas (155): any of various modern weights
  

2

• "Mum's death still weighed heavily-and so did all those Twinkies" (127). Man vs. Self.
  
• "But the return of the baby fat meant my phone might not ring on draft day" (132). Man vs. Self.
  

1

• Amaechi's life is at least improving somewhat. He needs to keep turning all his negatives into positives.
  

Journal Entry #2

5

• Mr. Amaechi lived a very harsh childhood. His family was constantly moving and his mother had to be very aware because his father always wanted to kidnap them and take them to Africa.
  
• The kids never got along with their father and when they heard about his death they didn't really care. Amaechi even refused to speak at his funeral.
  
• Amaechi was constantly made fun of because of his race and the way he looked. He was very big and thick and during swimming class the kids called him whale. This is one reason as to why he is very insecure with himself and his body.
  
• Amaechi was at an all boys school and then he started his interest for basketball. Here he also found out that the opposite sex was no longer in his mind.
  
• Up to this day Amaechi is very insecure about his body because all of the comments have left him scared. He is a retired basketball player and used to play with Michael Jordan and even when he had a photo shoot for the NBA he refused to show his body.
  

4

• When did he tell his mother he was gay?
  
• What did his mom think about him not attending the funeral?
  
• Did his father's family start talking trash to his mother because he didn't attend the funeral?
  
• Why did Amaechi chose not to become a doctor anymore?
  

3

• Retrospect (64): contemplation of the past
  
• Euphemistically (64): a vague expression for a harsh thought
  
• Marauding (79): roaming around
  

2

• "As a brown kid raised by a white mother" (68). Man vs. Society.
  
• "It seemed everyone I met had been touched by gun violence" (73). Man vs. Society.
  

1

• Amaechi has always had a hard time finding himself.