Al Letson

By Hannah Frison (The Catch co-editor)

Al Letson is a playwright, performer, screenwriter, journalist, and the host of Reveal, a singular part of a larger platform called the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR). The CIR focuses on investigative journalism and the raw, uncut discussion of relevant topics such as environmental concerns, injustice, politics, and public safety. The organization’s goal is to elevate the social awareness of its readers and empower them to be a solution amid the world’s largest problems.

The spoken word that gained my interest was called, “The Ball, The Rim, and Him”. This piece invites the listener to experience street basketball. More specifically, the poem unravels the experience of the young street basketball player physically, mentally, and emotionally as he plays on the court. One of my favorite parts was the very beginning. The way Letson tapped his foot to mimic the dribbling of a basketball and matched his voice intonation with the rhythm he tapped made the poem interactive and engaging. I also appreciated his dramatic pauses, body movements, and voice changes because it made the poem more impactful, and it communicated the slightest shift in mood or thematic direction.

The line that stuck out to me the most was: “And then, and then, and then, and then with a little bit of reluctance he lets go of his small circular piece of Olympia. He lets go. And falls back to us. The un-understanding masses.” I absolutely love the repetition of the “and then”, as it showcases the feeling of anticipation and anxiousness to know what the young streetball player will do next. However, the mood immediately shifts to a more serious outlook on societal pressures. The last half of the quote is symbolic for the struggles that real basketball players, and frankly, those with notoriety experience constantly. They know what it’s like to “...fly with the gods, then walk the streets with demons”. Oftentimes, society puts individuals on a pedestal. Unfortunately, the burden of success can be heavy enough to demote those same individuals to the trenches of despair.

Please check out the video of Letson’s performance using the link below. Happy listening!