Year of the Bull,
released in 2003, is a compelling documentary following the senior
season of Taurean Charles at Miami Northwestern High School. Set in
Liberty City, the story reveals a tale of a talented young man facing
compelling odds. Taurean lost his father to a heart attack before his
teenage years and, while he does have a supportive home, his teachers
and coaches often negatively reinforce poor habits. He is allowed to
flail in a troubled school setting; failing the SAT several times. His
coaches, the only male figures in his life, repeatedly rile his fragile
teenage emotions, while providing poor examples of leadership. The film
ends on a high note as Taurean manages to earn himself a scholarship to
Florida in 2003.
Viewed as a budding star, the dream comes to an end in the summer of
2004. While at an off-campus keg party, Taurean, in a rage of violence,
punched a student, threw him off a deck, and then, threw a half keg at him. Taurean maintained his innocence, and was somewhat vindicated when the most serious charges were dropped. However it was too late, Taurean already had an on campus assault charge on his record; dismissed from the team, he enrolls at Bethune-Cookman and manages to salvage his career with a respectable junior season. A lackluster senior campaign
left him undrafted, unsigned, and presumably out of football. After
viewing the movie and reflecting on his life since, one cannot help but
be saddened by the circumstances. This is the not story of a young man
bent on destruction and rebellion. It is the story of a high school
football player who saw testosterone fueled coaches as male role
models, who felt pressures beyond the control of a 17 year old, and who
was never taught to channel and control emotions. Many scenes
throughout the film give rise to the appearance that his coaches were a
win-at-all-costs type. This presumption was vindicated in 2006 when it
was revealed coaches, teachers, and the Principal, kept a statutory rape accusation against the star tailback under wraps until after the State championship had been won.
Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing.
Albert Schweitzer
0 comments:
Post a Comment