Do The Mike Thing

Franchezka Dansby

Michael Jordan transcended all levels of society, from race and religion to gender and socioeconomic status. His background was identical to mine and many other inner-city/urban kids with large families and hard-working blue collar parents. Although he was from a large family, Mike made his presence known with his a big heart, big voice and athletic capabilities of a God. Whatever he did he made sure he was the best. He understood his talents and strengths at an early age and strived everyday to become better at his skills and character. MJ has a personality that positively influences his environment and it showed with Bulls, NC, Wizards and even with the Barons. As a kid, he made me feel like I could do anything, including playing professional basketball at 4'2 in Junior High. I was the shortest female in the school and kids picked on me because I consistently tried out for the basketball team. I was always cut, but after two summers of working on my downtown shot "3-pointer" by my last year in junior high I made the team and not only that, I was the "go-to-girl" in crunch time. Although I was short, I was fast and had a downtown shot that would make Reggie Miller cry. The determination that helped me over this hurdle was seeing MJ annihilate the opposition season after season championship after championship. The most admirable point in his career in my perspective is after the Bulls defeat to the Pistons in 1990 Eastern Conference Championship. Although they lost, MJ maintained his composure, perfected his game in the off-season and the rest is history. He anchored the first dynasty of my generation and become a deity in the game of basketball. Off the court he was one of the greatest role models ever. MJ visited youth organizations, gave back to the community all while letting the world know he was human and that anybody can fulfill their dreams if they believed. I am a female and I wanted to be like Mike when I was kid. A wanted to be a great athlete, a great person, a compassionate human being and change the world for the better and bring a smile on peoples' faces while enjoying what I do. At an early age MJ made me realize that through hard work, determination and perseverance my dreams can be reached. As an adult, I grew up to be like Mike in many ways. I never give up on a challenge, never become complacent and give back to my community by mentoring kids and being a positive force in their lives. I've had several obstacles in my life, but keeping these ideologies in mind have helped me through life's challenges. Through all of MJ's extraordinary accomplishments, he's still a down-to-earth man , and for this I absolutely love Michael Jeffrey Jordan, my childhood hero.