We Real Cool

First, I want to give Sean big props for the new layout song. Lupe’s live performance of “The Coolest” was by far my favorite part of his show. I noticed that in this particular clip, Lupe changes the words from his own application of Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem, “We Real Cool,” to the actual poem. In a few lines, Brooks' sends us a very strong message. After listening to the song, I went back to read the poem and thought I'd share a little with you all.

We Real Cool

THE POOL PLAYERS. SEVEN AT THE GOLDEN SHOVEL.

We real cool. We
Left school. We
Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We
Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We
Jazz June. We
Die soon.

Gwendolyn Brooks wrote this poem because one day, as she passed by a pool hall, she looked inside and saw several boys playing pool during school time. She wrote this poem to convey the rebellious feelings that they might have towards society. Describing her inspiration for "We Real Cool," she says, “But instead of asking myself 'Why aren't they in school?' I asked myself 'I wonder how they feel about themselves?'"

And so Ms. Brooks leaves us a poem that all Lupe Fiasco fans should appreciate. Lupe himself was inspired by it so much that it influenced an entire album. It is because this poem, although written in the 1960’s, has a powerful message behind it that still resonates today.

The poem was written in the midst of Integration. I interpret that the “We” is particularly directed towards African-American youth, because of the slang used throughout the poem (ex. “Real Cool”), even though it focuses on only seven pool players. Despite the blood and tears sacrificed by others so that they could have an equal opportunity in school, these kids obviously don’t appreciate the value of an education. They are happier playing pool and thinning gin… looking for short term pleasure in the fast lane. It’s an attitude that unfortunately still exists today. Brooks’ message to these youth is very clear in the final words, “We/ Die Soon.” Not only is she emphasizing the importance of education, she is saying that youth who believe they can just live life without owning their responsibilities will face the worse fate of all- death.

WAKE UP.

That’s the resounding message. The poem is fun at first. It is light, carefree, and almost melodic. She emphasizes lucky number seven and glorifies the pool hall as “Golden”… and then offsets it completely with just three words to jolt us, coldly, into reality: “We die soon.” She is hinting at why this pool hall is called the Golden SHOVEL, something that aids in burying the dead.

What you think makes you look “cool” may aid in your burial. What you think makes your life pleasurable now may be what kills you in the end.

....Maybe you aren't so "cool" after all?

This is where Lupe comes in. His belief is that in order to combat a sure death, what we need to do is work to redefine what is cool and what isn't. Make global awareness cool. Fighting for a cause- make that cool. And staying school... well that's "real cool", too.

-June

Click Here
to hear Ms. Brooks reading the poem and
to find out about her inspiration for it.

“The problem is we think its cool, too.

Check your ingredients, before you overdose, on the ‘Cool’.”
“And keep your faith, as we chase, the ‘Cool’.”