Content Warning: This section discusses substance use and violence.

Lionel Shephard is in English class. His teacher asks him to read the poem “Harlem” by Langston Hughes. Lionel is nervous because he struggles with reading. He also finds metaphors confusing: When his teacher asks him about the American dream, Lionel responds that this was “when everybody in the country was sleeping” (1). His own dream is to play basketball in the NBA, though his parents are against it. Lionel’s classmates mock his ambitions as being outside his grasp, but Lionel knows his skills.

Lionel wishes his teacher would leave him alone because he finds reading and writing so difficult. His classmates call him stupid. Fellow student Malika volunteers to read, but the teacher insists on Lionel. When Lionel protests that poetry does not matter outside of school, his teacher suggests Lionel might connect with Langston Hughes. Finally, Lionel looks at the words and struggles to figure them out, feeling embarrassed.

After the bell rings, his teacher notes they will continue on Monday. She gives Lionel a letter for his parents and asks for their signature. Lionel worries that his father, Leroy, will scold him and forbid him to play basketball.