Chasing Dreams How Cooley High Inspired My Journey to Becoming a Writer

Read Time:6 Minute, 30 Second

K Tyler

I wanted to write since I was a Black Houston kid. Stories to transport me to different times and locations inspired me. The 1975 TV drama Cooley High inspired me to become a published writer in high school. I studied English extensively to improve my writing. Michael Schultz’s 1975 coming-of-age film Cooley High brilliantly captures Black kids in inner-city Chicago’s friendships and struggles. The story revolves around best friends Preacher and Cochise as they navigate the city. Through high school’s ups and downs, they cope with love, relationships, and future goals. Despite its struggles, the film sensitively captures adolescence’s complexity and the shared desire for optimism and success. Cooley High, a classic story about friendship, overcoming adversity, and human resilience, resonates with all ages. Watching Cooley High inspired me to write and share stories that moved people, especially those who don’t see themselves in popular culture. I tried to accurately reflect my community’s ups and downs, accomplishments and failures, happiness and despair. After my 1976 rape, I didn’t want to write. All I could think about following the attack was getting through the day. Becoming a published writer, once a possibility, now seemed unattainable. I was too focused on healing my anguish and trauma to create. Writing became a challenge despite its previously relaxing and happy effects. The attack affected every aspect of my life, making me feel like I was drowning in agony. While in drug abuse treatment in 2019, I found my love for narrative and language’s transforming power. I authored “The Last Alamo,” my debut book, in 2023, based on my Afghan War experiences.

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I always wanted to be a writer, ever since I was a little Black child in Houston. The ability of stories to take me to various places and eras motivated me. After seeing the 1975 TV drama Cooley High, I decided that I wanted to be a published writer when I started high school. I devoted a lot of time to my English classes so I could learn how to write effectively. The classic coming-of-age film Cooley High (1975) by Michael Schultz beautifully depicts the bond of friendship and the challenges endured by Black youth in inner-city Chicago. Preacher and Cochise, two best friends, are at the center of the plot as they navigate the challenging urban landscape. Amidst the highs and lows of high school, they deal with matters of the heart, relationships, and their own aspirations for the future. Despite all the challenges, the film poignantly depicts the complexity of adolescence and the common yearning for optimism and achievement. Fans of all ages still find meaning in Cooley High, a timeless tale that shows how friendship can overcome adversity and the strength of the human spirit. My inspiration to write and share stories that touched individuals, particularly those who don't often see themselves reflected in popular culture, came from watching Cooley High. I aimed for an honest and genuine portrayal of my community's highs and lows, its successes and failures, its happiness and sadness. I had no desire to write after the horrific rape that happened to me in 1976. As I dealt with the aftereffects of the attack, all I could think about was making it through the day. Becoming a published writer, an aspiration that had appeared reachable before, suddenly looked far away and impossible to achieve. The pain and trauma I was attempting to overcome had overshadowed my creative endeavors. Despite its former calming and joyful effects, the act of writing now seemed like an overwhelming obstacle. After the attack, I felt like I was drowning in a sea of misery because it affected every part of my life. In 2019, while undergoing treatment for substance misuse, I rediscovered my love for storytelling and the transformative power of language. Then, in 2023, I wrote "The Last Alamo," my debut book, which drew inspiration from my personal experiences in the Afghan War.

For everyone who has overcome adversity and come out on top, "The Last Alamo" is an inspiring and moving story. It exemplifies the virtues of tenacity and resilience, demonstrating that one may triumph over adversity by means of inner strength and resolve. Sharing one's story with others has the potential to change lives, and reading this book is like taking that first step toward a more empowered and self-aware you. Thinking back on the ups and downs of my own life, I am incredibly thankful for the chance to share my experience with readers and form connections with them. In addition to providing a therapeutic outlet, writing has allowed me to connect with others who understand the struggles I've been through. Sharing my story has brought me so much joy, connected me with others, and given my life purpose by inspiring others to find their own inner strength and perseverance. "The Last Alamo" is more than simply a book; it's a symbol of hope that shows how the human spirit can overcome hardship and motivates others to be strong. By sharing our stories, we may unite as a resilient community, encouraging and strengthening one another on our paths to self-discovery and empowerment. Reading this story will remind you that you have what it takes to face and overcome any challenge that life throws at you; it is a powerful testimony to the resilience and determination of the human spirit.

My life's work has always been writing; it's how I deal with emotions, thoughts, and events in my environment. However, it serves a different function presently. I write every piece of prose, essay, and poem with the intention of elevating the voices of those whose narratives are all too frequently marginalized and unheard. Stories about xombies, or survivors, who have overcome unfathomable horrors and are still going strong. I want to start conversations that will lead to healing and understanding, and I want to shine a light on the bravery and perseverance that is frequently overlooked. Writing has given me the strength to stand up for myself and refuse to let the obstacles I've overcome define me. It serves as a reminder that everything is achievable with bravery and resolve, regardless of how overwhelming the challenge may appear. So, I will keep speaking out against injustice, bringing dignity to the oppressed, and calling for a world that recognizes trauma and finds ways to heal. I find strength, a means of connection, empathy, and the power to effect positive change in the world via storytelling. The desire to make a good impact and bring about societal development motivates me to keep sharing crucial narratives that ought to be heard through my passion for writing.

As I continue to walk the path of a writer, my sense of purpose and passion only grow stronger with each passing day. The road to realizing my dream of becoming a writer has been fraught with obstacles and challenges, but my determination to persevere remains unwavering. I firmly believe in the transformative power of storytelling to build bridges between individuals of varying backgrounds and experiences, and I am enthusiastic about sharing more of my narratives with the world. "The Last Alamo" is merely the first chapter in what I envision to be a long and gratifying writing career. I feel immensely fortunate to have the chance to craft works that resonate with readers and leave a lasting impact. With every word that flows from my pen, I sense myself edging closer to the fulfillment of my aspirations and making a positive contribution through the art of storytelling. My journey as a writer extends beyond personal gratification; it is also about forging connections with others and making meaningful contributions to the world through the magic of storytelling.