LaTonya Pinkard breathes life in Season 3 of Last Chance U.

In sophomore and most of junior year in high school, I was at a crossroads of either turning my school career around, or dropping out completely.  One of those C students, with potential, but relying more or less (mostly, more) on my good looks, charm, and athletic ability to carry me through school. I absolutely needed a LaTonya Pinkard to keep me on the track. On the right track, specifically.

Ms. Englehardt and Mrs. Kilcrease were my LaTonya Pinkard, combined.  I was blessed enough to have two.  If Mrs. Kilcrease stuck to her guns, and would have just failed me for sleeping in her class, I would have been ineligible to run track.  Had she not told Coach Adams to fix it, I would likely be a Lithonia High School drop out.

If Mrs. Englehardt had not been there to push me to do better, be excited when I showed an effort with my writing skills and creativity, I would have probably had a third class I would have been failing.  Instead she elevated me to strive, commit, and succeed in advanced English.  PLENTY of high school friends looked at me in that class wondering what the hell I was doing there!

Watching Season 3 of Last Chance U., many young black men have new life birthed by LaTonya Pinkard, teacher at Independence Community College, the setting of this latest season of the series on Netflix. LaTonya is no Brittany Wagner.  She’s not the cutesy, unhip, counselor just trying to connect with the culture change around her. And, that’s not a jab at Wagner, who was amazing in her own right, but,  Pinkard is the culture, immersed in her DNA is the reinforcement to what Mama and Grandmama sent many young black men to college for in the first place.  Pinkard is the black woman magic,  deeper than the clever hashtag and social media trend of the phrase.

Far as the show itself, Season 3 of Last Chance U. is a dark, gritty depiction of what football can really be.  Fans like to think of militarized units all about solidarity and brotherhood, all in line following their commander’s orders, like a well-oiled machine.  When in actuality, it can be a complete clusterfuck at times with in-fighting, weed smoking, rambunctiousness,  and one of your leaders looking to undermine the whole program’s leadership at times.

A lot of the negative reception of the show is partly result of what happens when we, the public, have too much access. Season 3 keeps it a little too real for those who have a bit of a fantasy life of what sports is behind the scenes.  However, season 3 peaks into what it’s like to be in those locker rooms with most of those black players and their personalities, and realities; that you love to cheer on Saturdays and Sundays.  This is a peak into plenty of high schools and college locker rooms around the country with a bulk of kids from and products from the inner city.  Coach Jason Brown, from Compton, California, embodies that, as well.

 

LaTonya Pinkard, however, is an essential figure to the whole machine.  She is such a necessary good to have.  Athletes of all races, even regular students, need a LaTonya Pinkard in their lives.  Judging by the current news cycle, certainly some of these professional baseball players should have had a LaTonya Pinkard in their……nevermind.

Seriously speaking, Pinkard provides the balance between the intensity of student-athlete life, and normal life that the players need.   In a world where the pressure is likely at its all-time high to “go pro,” she helps them become more than ball players.  She also re-instills the element of respect and pride as young, black men.

Pinkard provides a serious balance into the series as well.  As things constantly bend to near breaking points internally with the team, LaTonya Pinkard serves as a beacon of light where you at least know someone is listening and getting through.

What might be greatest about Pinkard is her unapologetically black approach to the kids she’s trying to reach.  Her touch, care, and effort with her students is amazing to watch on-screen.  The young men’s responses to her abilities also sway from the narrative in the black community about black men not respecting black women, which the Netflix series displays to a surprisingly positive manner.

Season 3 of Last Chance U. is a rugged, sometimes off-putting season where the kids never seem to “get it,” from a team perspective.  LaTonya Pinkard, however, makes you feel that there is hope for them, yet.  The same kind of hope that I recall from those who helped saved me when I was in high school.  Her portrayal on the show reminds you to show the respect, appreciation, and admiration for those who commit themselves to making stars out of the players in the field of life as well as the playing field itself.  And, ultimately, the machine that operates what is really important in amateur sports, education.