Although the hotel where Dai Li lives is not an expensive hotel, the public security nearby is still very good. At least you don't have to worry about being robbed when you go out at night.
The place where Allen Hampton took Dai Li was completely different. It was a black gathering area and a slum. The security environment was relatively poor. Even in broad daylight, someone might pull out a gun and rob someone. . Drugs, guns, and all kinds of crime are nothing new here.
The houses here are very dilapidated and appear to be in disrepair. The glass of some houses has been broken and then covered with plastic paper. The dark gray walls are covered with various graffiti, highlighting the culture of African Americans. . There was a very old car parked on the side of the road. Li Dai even suspected that the car was older than himself. The glass on one side of the car was gone, and several black children were playing next to it.
Dai Li was a little scared and looked around curiously, while Allen Hampton said from the side: "The proportion of black people in Los Angeles is not high, and this neighborhood is much better than the Middle East. If it is in Detroit, , in many poor neighborhoods, you don’t even dare to drive into them because a gun may be pointed at you at any time.”
On the roadside, a group of tattooed black youths were gathered around. One of them, a fat man weighing almost three hundred pounds, looked at Dai Li with a look of eagerness.
Dai Li suddenly had the urge to run away, and Allen shouted at the fat man: "Martin, put away that scary expression of yours, this is my brother, don't try to trick him!"
After hearing this, the fat black man grinned and stopped trying to scare Dai Li. When other black people heard what Allen said, they were not paying attention to Dai Li.
"You see, I'm not bragging, I'm very happy here!" Allen said quite proudly.
"Do you live near here?" Li Dai asked.
"No, my family is in Virginia, and I grew up in Virginia. When I came to Los Angeles, I originally wanted to attend the Adidas basketball training camp and find a university that could provide me with a scholarship." Allen Hampton At this point, his expression became a little unnatural.
"Then why didn't you attend the Adidas basketball training camp?" Li Dai asked.
"I missed the confirmation time." Allen continued: "Adidas basketball training camp sent me an invitation, but I did not confirm it within the specified time, so they disqualified me."
"Why?" Li Dai continued to ask.
Allen hesitated, then he said: "Because I was in jail at the time."
Dai Li did not continue to ask, but Allen took the initiative to explain: "In the school's football team, I am a quarterback. I am the best quarterback among all high schools in Virginia, and I also won the state championship for the school. Championship. On the day we celebrated the championship, we went bowling and got into a fight with a group of white people. Those guys called us 'niggers' and discriminated against us black people. Then we got into a fight and then had a fight. !”
"Those white people couldn't beat us, so they called in more people, and we also called in more people, and eventually it developed into a group fight of more than fifty people. As a result, of course we agreed, and ten of them Several people were sent to the hospital for rescue, and seven or eight people on our side were injured. Then the court ruled that four of my companions were jailed for 15 years, and I was also sentenced to five years in prison!"
"However, the white man who led the fight with us was only sentenced to community labor camp, but we black people were not even allowed parole. We chose to appeal, and some black groups were also helping us, and black lawyers fought the case for us for free. , the lawsuit finally reached the High Court, and we won the case. But because of this incident, I also stayed in prison for four months."
"I understand!" Dai Li nodded.
Although we advocate equality for everyone every day, racial discrimination is very serious in the United States. Compared with white people, people of color face discrimination in admissions, employment, and even in all aspects of life. When facing racial discrimination, Chinese people often choose to swallow their anger, while black people prefer to speak with their fists.
Allen continued: "I missed a lot of opportunities during the four months in prison. Several college football coaches wanted me to join. In fact, I like football more. I like that kind of football. Compared to the thrill of running out of the crowd with the ball, basketball is so soft.”
"I think the vast majority of Americans prefer football." Dai Li said with a look of approval. The football they are talking about is, of course, American football.
Compared with other sports, American football is indeed the largest sport in the United States. In the United States, American football is the real national sport. As long as you are an American, there is no one who does not like playing American football.
"Because of this fight, it is impossible for me to get a football scholarship from the university. No university is willing to accept someone who has been in jail for fighting in a group." Allen sighed.
Being in jail is indeed a big stain. People with criminal records will be discriminated against whether they are in school or in employment. Even in the United States, no university is willing to recruit a guy who has just been released from prison.
Moreover, American football is inherently a passionate sport. Players collide with each other, and the scene is very heated. Fights on the field are also common. Even in the top NFL professional league, group fights also occur.
Such a violent sport obviously does not welcome athletes like Allen who have a history of group fights. The coach will think that Allen is an absolute unstable factor, even if the quarterback is the core of the court, even if Allen is a Virginia player. The best quarterback in high school, and no college coach wanted him.
At this point, Allen's mood seemed a bit low: "My football career has ended early, so now I can only place my hope on basketball. I hope that the university can provide me with a basketball scholarship to go to Play in college for a year or two, and then I’m going to enter the NBA draft!”
When it comes to the NBA draft, Allen's eyes shine again.
"I believe you will be selected by the NBA." Dai Li said with great confidence.
After all, Allen is an athlete with S-level talent. Looking at the entire NBA, there are probably only a few players with this kind of talent. Dai Li believes that as long as NBA team managers are not blind, Allen will definitely be able to enter the lottery.
"But I have to find a school that is willing to accept me first. In the east, my reputation is not good. No university is willing to accept me, so I can only try my luck in the west. If there is no scholarship, I will not have the money to go to school. College." Allen shrugged and continued: "Getting a scholarship and going to college became my only chance."
———
It’s the first day of the month. I’m asking for your monthly support. I feel like I’m writing more smoothly today. I’ll try to write a few more chapters.