The deeper context of Kofi Kingston's story is subtle and well done

Well, maybe not as subtle as recently.

But as Kofi Kingston's story continues to unfold, racial nuances become more and more difficult to ignore. Especially for me.

I am black. I live in America. I did it for 32 years and after (praise God). The language coded between all the characters involved is straight out of the manual "Black in America" ​​People like me are given as soon as we are aware of our existence.

But even if you're not black, you'll notice it too. . The New Day, Mr. McMahon, and more modestly, Daniel Bryan have given enough clues that even without discrimination in your life, you know what the characters are referring to. Even more, you do not necessarily have to be black to experience some of the things discussed.

Much of what we hear is centered on race because of: a) we are now accustomed to similar stories generally involving race, and b) New Day is composed of three black men. And honestly, at the end of the day, I think it's a racing story. But it's a veiled way that everyone can understand.

In the confines of the workplace (which this story focuses on, even though it deals with larger themes in our society), blacks are not the only ones to deal with discrimination. Women occupy it. Immigrants are facing it. Disabled people. The LGBTQ community. Those who do not come from privileged backgrounds. Ditto for all those who have not emanated from a renowned college (or have not gone to university at all).

And that's what makes this story work so well. In addition to following SmackDown's usual plan for building a long-term story, it's a story about race built so that everyone can understand, understand and sympathize. And this is done without anyone directly yelling "racism".

This is powered so that every crowd in any city can swallow. Everyone can understand Kingston, but there are small details and subtleties that powerfully speak to one area of ​​the WWE fan while managing to appeal to another.

• The New Day never complains but is treated as waste. Kofi Kingston does not want his "brothers" fired to defend him.
• Kingston saw the others take the lead in front of him
• "Guys like Kingston" rarely have the chance to compete for the WWE title. ] Kingston just wants him to be told what to do so that he can do it …
• And even when he does, it 's never enough.
• Daniel Bryan is right about Kingston's opportunities but misses the most important point [19659010] People cheered behind the scenes during the challenge, but no one helped (with the exception of New Day).
• million. McMahon would rather not have a title game instead of putting Kingston in the game.

These are all things that I've been told before becoming adults. No matter how compliant I am, it will not make me respect. My friends may be defending me. The less deserving people will have opportunities in front of me. I have to work twice as hard as my counterparts. Even if I do what I am told, it will not be enough. Others will try to minimize my obstacles. People will say that they support me but do not shake my head.

This has been my experience. And I will not stay here to say that life is null or that we complain. Because like Kingston, "I am blessed". I have a well paid job, a family, friends who care about me and my dreams are yet to come. However, admit that it does not mean that my life is unobstructed because of the color of my skin.

But I'm willing to bet that you have all faced similar obstacles and that you do not have to be black to fight against them. You have been left for promotions. No matter what you do in your relationship, it never seems to you enough. You close your mouth, but nothing changes. In spite of so many kind words, no one dares to help you.

The context of this story has a more significant meaning for the black audience of the WWE because the setting is long-standing in our history. But this is not exclusive to us. And that is what makes the writing so beautiful and unnaturally poetic for WWE standards.

WWE uses both its own reality (the lack of black WWE champions and the vertical efforts of mid-card or comedy numbers) and the societal realities to bring everyone. behind Kingston. We all tell about his trip. We all sympathize with his struggle. And most of us (baduming there are opponents) want to see Kingston take his time at WrestleMania.

I still have a bad memory of Booker T.'s story with Triple H in 2003. I still remember Hunter, "someone like you did not become a world champion." References to Booker in jail. Hunter throws a dollar to Booker to fetch his briefcase. Hunter asks Booker to do some dancing or comment on his "layered hair". (Note: this really happened.)

It was racist. Grossly racist. This was not good. This was not a shock value. It was not learned, it was useless, it did not help the story, and most of all, it did not work. Even worse, Booker lost in the end.

WWE succeeds this time. The tension between all parties was well built. The ability to evoke the broader context of discrimination is acquired and brings together the story. This is not raw. This is not controversial. It works and has been done to please everyone.

But now there is one step left. Similar to Nia Jax last year with her story of bullying because of her weight, Kingston did not win at WrestleMania. He is allowed to lose. But because of the past sins of a promotion trying to get it right, everything that does not look like becoming a Kingston champion feels bad.

I encourage Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania. Admittedly, I tend to make everyone believe that they are black (well, almost everyone). And not only because I want to see the man behind the character live his dream. But because I'm too deep in this story and want a happy ending more than ever.