I have a suspicion this piece has nothing to with Mr. Chang or tennis.

Instead of crying about what he was given, Michael Chang did the best he could with what he had. He couldn't grow taller, get a different family or sport a new racial identity. He did the best he could with what he had. And that takes far more strength and courage than somebody who is born with attributes that makes it easy for them to win.

The author should worry less about what cards he's dealt with and more about how to play his hand better. Not only is it a waste of time to whine about the cards you're dealt with, but it looks ridiculous and unseemly. Besides, the author may complain that he has it bad, but there are plenty of people dealt crappier hands.

exactly, it has nothing to do with Chang, this is a story about the author as a TEENAGER.

It is about his perceptions as a teenager, struggling to find his identity, pushing against stereotypes and the people who he VIEWED as embodying those stereotypes. Teenagers are often self-loathing and self-destructive and if all this teenager was guilty of is unseemly whining, I think we can see from the article that he doesn't have these insecurities as an adult.

im1:

I think we can see from the article that he doesn't have these insecurities as an adult.

well, that's too bad, as otherwise we would have been spared this piece

im1:

exactly, it has nothing to do with Chang, this is a story about the author as a TEENAGER.

It is about his perceptions as a teenager, struggling to find his identity, pushing against stereotypes and the people who he VIEWED as embodying those stereotypes. Teenagers are often self-loathing and self-destructive and if all this teenager was guilty of is unseemly whining, I think we can see from the article that he doesn't have these insecurities as an adult.

You're exactly right. Like him or not, Michael Chang exhibited a remarkable consistency on the court and off. This article was a backhanded (sorry) compliment to him and the author's coming-of-age mea culpa to struggling with identity issues and cultural stereotypes. It was an extremely well-written piece.

No good deed goes unpunished...Especially by the 'cool' people in the community, get over it!