… and the two days that changed everything.
When people talk about great two-day stretches, many things come to mind. Perhaps, back in 10th grade you had a science and a math test on consecutive days and somehow aced them both. That’s a pretty good two days. Maybe you went to a music festival this summer and had a blast with the crew or had two first dates and liked them both. Two days well spent in both cases. You could even have a weekend where you manage to stay within your budget and still have fun. That, too, is a good 48 hours.
I could go on and on, because it’s different for everyone. But what if I told you that we all shared the same epic 48 hours together over 20 years ago and didn’t even know it? What if I told you 3 people, who’d each go on to inspire us and partially shape the way most of a generation views the world, all came of age right before our eyes in a 2-day span.
Would you believe me?
It’s no secret. I like sports, music, movies, and Black history. I like ’em a lot actually and on occasion, I like to write about them. In fact, you could make the argument that they are all I write about which makes me somewhat predictable, I suppose. And be that as it may, it’s who I am. I hang my hat on it. I write about interesting people that are overlooked, things I enjoy, and stuff that has a profound impact on me.
And… every so often I get the chance to write about all of that at the same time; and this is that.
During the last week of June of 1996, we watched Jay-Z release Reasonable Doubt, Will Smith’s Independence Day hit theaters, and Kobe Bryant go to the Lakers all in a two-day span. I was about to turn six and was already having a big year. I’d just graduated from kindergarten and the Olympics were about to hit my hometown so forgive me if my radar wasn’t dialed in.
But over 22 years later, it’s hard not to look back at this and consider June 25th and 26th two of the most important days of our lives. Trust me, it’s not a stretch. Each of these fellas have become some of the best of their generation, and of all-time. They’ve helped raise us from afar. Not only have we enjoyed and respected their work, we’ve been impacted by the way they go about handling their business. And to think it was all birthed within 48 hours.
This is why they’re the next Black GOATs. Let’s take a walk.
When people talk about great two-day stretches, many things come to mind. Perhaps, back in 10th grade you had a science and a math test on consecutive days and somehow aced them both. That’s a pretty good two days. Maybe you went to a music festival this summer and had a blast with the crew or had two first dates and liked them both. Two days well spent in both cases. You could even have a weekend where you manage to stay within your budget and still have fun. That, too, is a good 48 hours.
I could go on and on, because it’s different for everyone. But what if I told you that we all shared the same epic 48 hours together over 20 years ago and didn’t even know it? What if I told you 3 people, who’d each go on to inspire us and partially shape the way most of a generation views the world, all came of age right before our eyes in a 2-day span.
Would you believe me?
It’s no secret. I like sports, music, movies, and Black history. I like ’em a lot actually and on occasion, I like to write about them. In fact, you could make the argument that they are all I write about which makes me somewhat predictable, I suppose. And be that as it may, it’s who I am. I hang my hat on it. I write about interesting people that are overlooked, things I enjoy, and stuff that has a profound impact on me.
And… every so often I get the chance to write about all of that at the same time; and this is that.
During the last week of June of 1996, we watched Jay-Z release Reasonable Doubt, Will Smith’s Independence Day hit theaters, and Kobe Bryant go to the Lakers all in a two-day span. I was about to turn six and was already having a big year. I’d just graduated from kindergarten and the Olympics were about to hit my hometown so forgive me if my radar wasn’t dialed in.
But over 22 years later, it’s hard not to look back at this and consider June 25th and 26th two of the most important days of our lives. Trust me, it’s not a stretch. Each of these fellas have become some of the best of their generation, and of all-time. They’ve helped raise us from afar. Not only have we enjoyed and respected their work, we’ve been impacted by the way they go about handling their business. And to think it was all birthed within 48 hours.
This is why they’re the next Black GOATs. Let’s take a walk.
