Consider Smith’s earliest years. What lessons did he learn from his family, and how do these lessons help him in the future?

The biggest lesson Smith learns from his family is hard work. While none of the members of his immediate family were slaves, they are the descendents of slaves. They work long hours in harsh weather as sharecroppers, never fully in possession of all that they harvest. This hard work ethic helps Smith both in school and as an athlete. Smith also learns to rely on his faith. His mother, in particular, is a woman of faith, and Smith carries this faith passed down to him throughout his life.

Smith says he did not know what the word segregation meant. Based on what is revealed about his family, why is this likely the case? In what ways does segregation affect him even though he does not know what it means?