In “We Real Cool,” the speakers make choices that seem exciting, bold, and rebellious, even though those choices lead to consequences. Write about a moment in your own life when you followed what looked cool or fun, only to realize afterwards that it wasn’t the smart or responsible path. What influenced your decision, and how did your perspective change later?

 Prompt Response: When I was younger, I had a great time playing Pokémon with my friends. We all had a diverse collection of unique and powerful cards. Although I wasn’t any different, I noticed that my deck lacked sufficient cards. So, inspired by my friends, I decided to trade my cards for better ones. While Pokémon is primarily a trading card game, I didn’t stop there. I also engaged in trading toys with other students. Some toys were incredibly fun to play with, while others simply fell apart in my hands. I traded various items with my friends and even gave away things that held sentimental value back then, all because I wanted to be cool and have fun like they did.

Summary: In today’s class, we read a poem titled “We Real Cool” and completed an assignment based on its themes.

Reflection: Reflecting on this, this was one of the rare instances when I followed a crowd solely because I wanted to emulate them. After elementary school and progressing through the years, I made a silent promise to never again succumb to the expectations or desires of others.