WELCOME to your online discussion of A Lesson Before Dying!
Together with members of your book group, you’ll be reading A Lesson Before Dying over the next several weeks. Although you're not required to take notes while you read, it would be wise to keep track of important events and characters for your own clarification. You are, however, expected to participate regularly and thoughtfully in an online discussion of FOUR essential questions.
PROCEDURE
Divide your book into three roughly equal sections. You need to have read and blogged about these sections by the due dates below.
There are two kinds of posts in this discussion: responses and comments.
Responses = direct responses to the essential questions below
- Post at least TWO responses for each section of your book (SIX overall).
- You must comment on all of the essential questions over the course of your reading.
- One of your six responses can be a “free-response" post.
Comments = comment on someone else’s posted response or comment
- Post at least THREE comments for each section of your book (NINE overall).
DUE DATES
- Post your first set of responses and comments by Monday, March 23 (Blue), and Tuesday, March 24 (Red).
- Post your second set of responses and comments by Thursday, April 2 (Blue), and Friday, April 3 (Red).
- Post your third set of responses and comments by Thursday, April 9 (Red), and Friday, April 10 (Blue).
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American culture? Be specific! (Page references are helpful.)
- How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American history?
- In what ways does this book refute the notion of the “single story”?
- How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) reflect or illuminate the current state of race relations in our country? Have we made any progress as a society?
** Free-response option: Address another issue/episode/or passage in the book that you find
significant for any reason.
Assessment: To earn maximum credit, post thoughtful responses that are at least a short paragraph in length—and carefully proofread! Do not misspell characters' or authors’ names! Also, be sure to include specific references to the text (either details or short quotations). Page numbers, too, are always helpful.
Response #1 How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American culture? Be specific! (Page references are helpful.)
ReplyDeleteThe book A Lesson Before Dying illuminates African-American culture in many different ways. The first way is that they seem to be very religious. They go to school at a church and go to church on sunday. On page 33 Grant tells the children to go in to the class room and study their bible verses. Another aspect of culture is that they have big families where everyone has a role. The husbands would go away to works, the women would stay at house and cook and clean and the kids would do chores and help out at home. The last aspect of culture is that they live on a farm. On page 17 Gran is explaining that he heard the tractors off in the distance harvesting the sugar cane. These aspects are of culture are the ones that I have noticed so far in my reading.
-Gideon Wheeler
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DeleteThey don't all live on a farm. Grant does not.
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Delete^ That's true, although many of they did live on farms.
DeleteI agree that they are religious because they're teaching young children about The Bible in school. I also agree about when you mentioned many big families, all having roles.
DeleteI agree with everything you are saying about african-american agriculture and it is interesting on how the african-americans of the 1940s have created a culture of their own based off of what they knew before and what they learned from their ancestors who were slaves such as following the christian faith and farming using american soil. - Mae
DeleteResponse 1. Question 2
ReplyDeleteOne way A Lesson Before Dying illuminates African-American history is by saying how they were treated. On page 7 the Jefferson's lawyer defends him by pretty much saying that he was too stupid to commit the murder. He goes on, saying that Jefferson is only good for doing work that he is commanded to do. Another example is when Grant goes to visit the sheriff. On page 46 Grant says how they sheriff was doing all he could to humiliate him. This includes making Grant walk in through the back and trying to make Grant say certain things. The last example is when the superintendent visits the school. First off Dr. Joseph doesn't even try to get Grant's name right. On page 57 Grant tries to explain that he needs more supplies. Dr. Joseph responds and says that all of the schools, black and white, are in the same shape. Of course this is not true as Grant says that he gets old stuff from the white schools. So far African-Americans have been treated poorly in the story and they will continue being treated that way for the rest of the book.
I enjoy the point you made about how the defendant made Jefferson sound stupid, I too noticed that and found it rather interesting.
DeleteI agree the book does have a lot of discrimination in it which goes back deep into their history.
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DeleteI agree with what you said about the discrimination. It has always been something that has happened in this country, even today.
DeleteI like how you hypothesized a pattern going throughout the book so far, and up until the end. I agree with you that the white characters in the book will definitely not change the way they think about african-americans at all.
DeleteI agree that the white characters will not change. This is obvious in the book and is is shown in real life. It is awful.
DeleteI agree and I think you chose some very good evidence to enforce your claim.
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ReplyDeleteResponse 2. Question 3
ReplyDeleteOne single story that this book refutes is the how African-Americans would do anything for one another. One way it does this is Grant's reaction to teaching Jefferson. On page 14 Grant says "(Jefferson is) already dead." He clearly does not want to help Jefferson. Furthermore, after being told to visit Jefferson alone, Grant threatens to
"dump the food out there in the river" on page 79. Another example of the book refuting the single story is when Grant reminisces about his mulatto teacher. He recalls how the teacher hated them because he himself was half black. Grant too hated the teacher. Grant says how he went against his teacher's advice and did not run from the quarter. To conclude, the book refutes this single story by showing Grant's opinion of other African-American.
This book is definitely filled with single stories that are about African American culture.
DeleteI like how you included how different people view African American culture even those like Grant. "To conclude, the book refutes this single story by showing Grant's opinion of other African-American. "
DeleteI wonder if Mr. Wiggin's aversion to some of his fellow african-americans is because of how much he wanted to be a teacher treated as fairly as a white man when Jefferson and Antoine are constantly humiliating him while Antoine himself holds his partial whiteness over Grant's head by trying to make it seem like he is more important than Grant.
DeleteThis is an interesting discussion, probing at the notion of black-on-black discrimination. Racism, based on degrees of blackness, infected the African-American population as well.
DeleteThis book definitely sends out the vibe, everyone is against everyone else.
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ReplyDeleteIn the story there is a lot of discrimination of the black race. One example is how unfair the justice system is in their society. In those days if you were black you were automatically more likely to get accused of a crime. They said at the trial on page 8 "I would just assume put a hog in the electric chair as this."In the schools there is also discrimination. First of all their school is in a church which is not a real school house. Second they only have one teacher who teaches more than one grade of students. Lastly all of their books are hammy downs for the white schools and they are missing pages. In our country today there isn't segregation but in inner city schools where there is a black majority it is hard to get supplies and the schools are lower quality. In present time the majority of people don't discriminate but there are still people who do. Also people believe that when deciding a verdict for a trial or a college application there might be some discrimination. We have definitely made progress in our country because now if we see an African-American we don't think anything of it but back then it wasn't accepted.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of discrimination is how the sheriff treats Grant.
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DeleteI also have noticed the discrimination towards the black race in their school environment but I was wondering what you meant by "First of all their school is in a church which is not a real school house." I was just wondering what the difference between a church/ religious school background would have any difference between a public school's view on the black race.
DeleteIt seems such a shame that all this discrimination happened. No one could help how they looked back then.
DeleteI agree the discrimination was very bad, and the fact that black people were treated poorly based on skin color was not fair.
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ReplyDeleteIn the Ted talk we heard in class about the danger of a single story, the speaker, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, explained that when she was growing up she was only able to read books written by people of other countries and other cultures. She shared that when she was growing up she only read things she couldn’t relate too. “All my characters were white and blue-eyed, they played in the snow, they ate apples.” But when she grew older she found herself reading african american literature.
Many people get the idea that forms of literature all over are immensely different from the stories we hear around here. Even though some aspects of that are true like character and settings the main ideas, themes and writing styles can be rather similar. At one point, during her college career she had a professor tell her that her writing was not "authentically African.” And at first, before reading A Lesson Before Dying, I too may have believed books written by others in different cultures or even of other races may sound totally different from what I am used to but that is of the contrary. The writing style is very similar to many of the books I have read despite the difference of culture and race. This book has allowed me to see past the stereotype that all areas produce different types of literature, and different levels of literature.
I like how you were able to connect the Ted talk to the story
DeleteGood job connecting the Chimamanda's Ted Talk about single stories to the book, and using quotes from it.
DeleteI like how you used multiple pieces of evidence to connect with the story.
DeleteGood idea connecting multiple pieces of evidence from a single story Ted talk.
DeleteI found the process in which convicting someone of a crime very interesting. Throughout the first chapter the shared of what happened to place Jefferson in such a tight spot including the process in which he was tried. I found it interesting because of how it was written, it basically declared he was guilty from the moment he stepped into the store, before the shooting occurred.
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting when Jefferson’s defendant basically talked like he wasn’t sitting behind him. Jefferson’s defendant belittled him and made him sound dehumanized more then what society already pictured him. I thought of it as a weird approach, and in the end it didn’t even matter because the jury already pictured him guilty.
It was almost as if Jefferson's lawyer didn't care about Jefferson.
DeleteIn the 1940s the justice system was very unfair for African-Americans because the jury was most likely white males. Jefferson's Lawyer was trying to talk the jury into thinking that Jefferson is a hog and couldn't make the decision to rob a store or kill someone.
DeleteI also thought it was interesting how they convicted somebody.
DeleteI would really not like Jefferson's lawyer, it was almost like he threw Jefferson under a bus.
DeleteHow does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American history?
ReplyDeleteIn lesson before dying in chapter 8 Grant's students are doing all of the manual work. Cutting and hauling the wood to warm the school house. The children are doing all of the hard work and keeping the school house warm.
I feel this also connects back to white culture as well with the able-bodied youngsters doing more of the manual labor to not only teach them discipline but also because it is easier for them to do.
DeleteMany Af-Am are hard working and are willing to work.
DeleteHow does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) reflect or illuminate the current state of race relations in our country? Have we made any progress as a society?
ReplyDeleteFor question number four, I believe that our country has made significant progress in towards the race discrimination. We have we have specific amendments that let anyone of any race vote such as amendment 15. #15 lets any male of any race vote. Our country is still having problems with caller discrimination but we seem to have made a significant difference.
I completely agree that we have made strides towards racial equality. I also really enjoy how you included the amendments like amendment #15. But what do you think about the recent events in Ferguson or the unrest taking place all over the country in a debate over race relations. Do you feel we are still improving or are we loosing focus on racial equality?
DeleteYou make a good point here, but have we truly made progress? We have definitely made leaps and bounds in racial equality, but honestly, some days it feels like we still might as well be putting innocent black people to death for no reason.
DeleteResponse #1:
ReplyDeleteQuestion #1: How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American culture? Be specific! (Page references are helpful.)
The story A Lesson Before Dying illuminates aspects of African-American culture by demonstrating examples of African-American religion, respect for elders, and loyalty to family and neighbors. First off, the book shows the religious part of African-American culture because they have the young children reading verses from The Bible as it says multiple times one of them being on page 33 and 34. To follow that, there is respect shown for their elders like when Grant could've said something to Miss Emma or his Aunt but he decided not to because it most likely wouldn't have been respectful (an example on page 17). The final way the story illuminates aspects of African-American culture is loyalty to family and neighbors. Grant shows this in two ways, first, he went to see Henri Pichot more or less against his will but did it for the sake of his Aunt and Miss Emma. The second way is he illustrates this is by knowing the occupants of every house. This does come with the job, but in a sense this is showing loyalty to them just because he didn't have to learn who all of them were. This was talked about on page 37 and 38
You call out several key features of Af-Am culture evident in the book so far. I wonder if respect for elders is a holdover from tribal bonds, reverence for the chief of a tribe—or possibly a discipline that was necessary for survival during slavery, when blacks needed to show (if not feel) respect for everyone above them in the social hierarchy.
DeleteMany African-Americans had a good home life with all their family around them and a lot of siblings. They also were friendly and knew all their neighbors.
DeleteI think that many african americans at that time showed respect to neighbors because they were lower class citizens who had very few rights, and having these friends helped make their lives a bit less stress full, And they connect with their neighbors as they were all in the same situation.
DeleteResponse #2:
ReplyDeleteQuestion #2: How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American history?
The story A Lesson Before Dying illuminates aspects of African-American history by showing a considerable amount of discrimination towards African-Americans. African-Americans have been considered minorities in our country ever since they were brought over here. First of all, they had an all black school because they weren't allowed to go to a school with whites. Also, they weren't given any new or enough school items, they were already used by white children, for example, books were missing pages, they didn't have enough books, they didn't have enough paper for writing on or chalk for blackboards, and even didn't have enough heat as mentioned on page 57. Lastly, the superintendent that visited their school seemed to neglect this school because he didn't visit this school as much as some of the white schools.
I feel like this also connects with other ethnic minorities as well such as asian-americans or hispanic groups. -Greg Malin
DeleteThere was lots of discrimination even after the civil war. The African-Americans were supposed to be equal to the whites but they weren't.
DeleteA Lesson Before Dying - Response #1
ReplyDeleteQuestion #2 - How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American history?
The story a Lesson Before Dying takes place in the 1940s in the deep south. While slavery is no longer a part of american society, segregation is still up and strong and inter-racial relationships aren't very common. While we haven't heard much in terms of Grant Wiggins blatantly sharing little american history facts, we can pick up quite a bit of information through the dialogue and thoughts of these characters that illuminates some aspects of african-american history. For example, Mr. Wiggins is outraged when the superintendent of the schools in his particular region examined his students in such a way that was similar to how slave owners inspected their possible property by inspecting their dental hygiene and good health. We can also imagine the history of black and white relations with how the sheriff and his companions treated Wiggins when he came to ask about seeing Jefferson. These men made him waiting around for them for hours on end before finally giving him the light of day. Finally, we can see into the past history of african-americans through the segregated toilets mentioned when Grant goes to see Jefferson in the prison. We can see how white and black people must have been separated from one another for quite a bit of time now as he says that the bathroom is dirty and the police station is older than some of the other building. This is how the book has so far illuminated some african-american history within it's text.
Excellent details, Mae! I appreciate your noting the power dynamics implicit in the sheriff's making Grant wait so long for an audience.
DeleteA Lesson Before Dying - Response #2
ReplyDeleteQuestion #4 - How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) reflect or illuminate the current state of race relations in our country? Have we made any progress as a society?
As a book that takes place in the 1940s with a middle-aged african-american male primary character, A Lesson Before Dying contains quite a bit of interaction between blacks and whites. One of our first glimpses on racial-relations between african-americans and whites in this book is during the trial when it is made abundantly clear that a black boy suspected of killing one or multiple white men or women will not be let off. Grant uses the example of Jefferson and several others including his friends and past associates that he brings up throughout the first eight chapters to show this point. We can also get a good handle on relations between blacks and whites from the physical evidence. Grant's school is an all black school. He says this when talking to the superintendent about how they should be able to receive as much materials as the white schools and later about how the cells are separated as blacks and whites as so are the bathrooms. Finally, we are able to see the relationship between the black and the white americans through how they speak to one another. The Sheriff and his companions made Grant stand in the kitchen for hours and when they did end up addressing him they were simply going to deny him of his request. Also as Grant talks about his former teacher Antoine we can see how Antoine always hated the black people around him because he felt that his partial white heritage put him above the others in some way. It shows how racist people could be back then, even if they were part african-american themselves.
I do believe that we have made progress in our society today from this point in history. We are able to properly accept african-americans as fellow human beings and are starting to treat them as such. I do not feel as if we are as close as we would like to think about erasing that invisible line between african-americans and caucasians, but there has certainly been progress since a time when we used separate bathrooms and water fountains.
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DeleteResponse #1
ReplyDeleteIn what ways does this book refute the notion of the “single story”?
A Lesson Before Dying connects with a single story so far because white people instantly puts african-americans in a stereotype of being sleazy, dirty pigs. This is talked about on pages 4,5,20, and 22. And in the TED talk the women, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, talks about her experience when she moved to America. An american women instantly thought that the music she listened to was tribal music, but surprisingly it was just a mariah Carrey cd. This example connects to the stereotypes in A Lesson Before Dying.
I thought the same thing when I was reading it. People stereotype to quickly. I think media is a huge influence why that women thought she listened to different music.
DeleteI totally agree. I don't understand why people express their stereotypical aloud without thinking before they speak.
DeleteI see this as well, it just goes to show that we have always had stereotypes about black people, be it innocent of otherwise.
DeleteThis illustrates Nicholas Kristof's point in "When Whites Just Don't Get It" about how white people carry around embedded stereotypes and often express racist attitudes unwittingly.
DeleteThis is exactly what I thought too. Some people categorize and judge people before even really knowing them. This isn't just judging african americans either. It is everyone. In this book it emphasizes this problem, and really shows it.
DeleteThis is more of a free response knowing that the thing I am going to talk about isnt up an essential question. In chapter 3 when Grant, Miss Emma and Tante Lou go up to Henri Pichot's house asking for him to allow Grant to go visit Jefferson and let him know that he isn't a hog, but a man, before he dies by electrocution. Henri Pichot was blatantly ignoring the request and trying to avoid having to do it due to the fact that he thought she was less of him because of Miss Emma's skin color. He said he would go meet with Jefferson whenever he saw him next, but its easy to tell that he is just saying that so she'll go away. I think the way that people treat others due to the color of skin, which by the way is only skin deep, rather than by what actually defines a person like personality and emotions and actions is dense and ignorant and isn't fair to the people who are being discriminated against for something they can't help.
ReplyDeleteGood observation, Greg. I agree. It's remarkable to see how deeply embedded racist attitudes were in the South at this time. Although free and "equal," blacks were still considered by many whites as inferior and unworthy of basic respect.
DeleteI agree its ignorant how people let skin color define someone. They should give a person a chance they may even end up being best friends but they will never know if they judge people by their skin color.
DeleteI really enjoy the part where you said, "by the way is only skin deep, rather than by what actually defines a person." I feel it really enriched what you we're talking about. I also completely agree with what you saying and found it irritating how Henri Pichot was treating them.
DeleteThis is a great point. I dislike how people do this. You should judge someone not by the color of their skin, but the content of their character. Not many people follow this. It is disrespectful and ignorant.
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ReplyDeleteResponse #3 How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American history?
The story Illuminates African-American history in many different ways. First of all they live in the south which is where African-Americans lived in the 1940s. After the civil war many black families continued to work on the farms and share cropping in the south because that is where they were used to living. On page 7 Grant says “my people have worked these fields ever since slavery. Living in the south goes back to the start of African-Americans in America. The second aspect of history is how they live. They have big families that live in one house and everyone does their part in making a home. The kids bring in fire wood and weed the garden and the women work in the kitchen making a meal and the husbands are in the city working. Another aspect if History there religious beliefs. When the slaves came over from Africa they had a different religion but while they were in America the ‘master’ converted them to Christianity. Now in the south, southern baptism is a know religion and it mostly the African-American population. This book depicts many aspects of African- American History.
Its a very distinct life style that is foreign to us all but also very familiar in a strange way. Its something that we can all picture at this point, we all come from it in some way, even though we don't live in the south, our culture today has been affected by black culture then.
DeleteResponse #4 In what ways does this book refute the notion of the “single story.”
ReplyDeleteA single story about African-Americans is that they all work on a farm and most of them has jobs with manual labor. On page 34 Grant says, “my class room was a church. My classes ranged from primer to sixth grade my pupils from six to thirteen and fourteen. He says he is a teacher which wouldn’t sound like a job for ‘blacks.’ Some people think that black people do only manual labor but really they do every day jobs just like everyone else. This refutes a single story that I had thought to be a stereotype about African-Americans.
I too had the idea that during the time of slavery that blacks didn't have a significant role/ career in the southern states. I believed that white men were teaching the classes at black schools. I too thought that manual labor was the only option for blacks at this time.
DeleteI had the same thoughts as well, I was surprised that a character archetype such as Grant (a collage educated black man) even existed back then.
DeleteIt is not that surprising if you think about the fact that no white people would have taught black kids back then, especially in that area.
DeleteI thought that as well but now that I think about it I agree with Alex because I highly doubt a white person would use their time to teach African-American children. White people back then probably would've thought it was a waste of time because the children were supposed to do physical labor when they grow up.
DeleteActually, some liberal-minded white teachers (especially women) traveled to the South after the Civil War to teach in black schools, but this was considered a form of social charity.
DeleteIn what ways does this book refute the notion of the “single story”?
ReplyDeleteWhen Grant Wiggins first goes to the jail house to visit Jefferson along with Miss Emma, it says they are greeted by two white officers. Throughout history we always hear how the whites treated those of color differently, more harsh. But this one officer seemed nicer than the majority of white men in the area.
On page 74, when Grant and Emma are leaving the cell, Emma begins to break down. She asks the Deputy if she can leave the food. I found it compassionate on his part to allow her to leave the food for Jefferson, despite his race and the fact that he was a prisoner. Secondly, the part where she begins to cry out, “Oh, Lord Jesus, stand by, stand by.” Grant says he turns to the deputy and can see the pity for Miss Emma and all that she’s going through. I found this compelling because most stories from the time of slavery consist of abusive masters, ill-tempered whites and rude bystanders and not the kind, compassionate whites. I feel this part in the book refuted the notion of a single story.
It's surprising how racist one person can be and how not racist the next person can be.
DeleteI think that not all whites were as racist as we seem to think they were back in those days
DeleteI think you both make good points, and I don't belief that all whites were racist at that time just because they were white.
DeleteResponse 3. Question 1
ReplyDeleteOne way the book illuminates African-American culture is saying how they look up to their sports heroes. The first sports hero is Jackie Robinson. On page 87, Grant observes two older people."They could recall everything Jackie had done in the past two years. They remembered when he got his first hit, and who it was against. They remembered the first time he stole two bases in one game and the first time he stole home". This shows how much an impact Jackie had on these two men as they remembered so much about him. The second hero is the boxer Joe Louis. On page 88 Grant talks about how everyone was depressed when Louis had lost his fight with Schmeling. "To be caught laughing for any reason seemed like a sin." He talked about how when the rematch happened everyone gathered around the radio and was silent. He say when Louis won, "there was nothing but chaos." Sports heroes had a big impact on African-Americans culture because spots was one of the few things African-Americans could do back then. It made sense why so many people looked up to them.
This part really intrigued me I also wrote how this illuminates African-American culture.
DeleteI definitely agree with you here. I think that another reason why major sports figures such as Jackie Robinson and Joe Louis had such an impact on the black community of the time, was because they were some of the first black people to "make it" so to speak.
DeleteOne way I thought the book illuminates African-American culture is saying how they look up to African-Americans who play sports. on page 87 it says he heard two old men talking about Jackie Robinson who just finished his second year with the Brooklyn Dodgers. he remembers them only talking about Jackie no one else they remembered the first time he stole two bases, and how slow the pitchers were it gave Jackie enough time to steal home.
ReplyDeleteI remember that. The reason they were talking about Jackie and no one else was because he was the first black to break the essential color barrier. I wish the Negro Leagues were more well known to the public back then and now. It would be great to know all of the amazing athletes that were segregated in that time.
DeleteGood point, Cam. That would be an interesting research project someday!
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DeleteI definitely agree with you Cam. Sam I agree with you also, they do look up to those who stand up for the rights they deserve and I think that they all want those rights. When someone like Jackie got the right to play baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers, it was a big deal for everyone. It was a step in african american history, and was another part of a journey to equality.
DeleteI absolutely agree with you Cam because the "barrier" Jackie Robinson broke was massive. For an African-American to play professional baseball wasn't even thought of. Going off of what Cole said, the step this took on the road to equality was a big one.
DeleteThis is true that many whites only looked up at the af-am that were able to make their mark on the world.
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ReplyDeleteResponse #1
ReplyDeleteOne reason I feel this book represents African American culture is by showing the respect towards the older woman in the black community. Throughout the book Grant is very hesitant to go visit Jefferson in prison that is until he feels obligated to go from his Aunt and Miss Emma. In chapter ten, Grant goes to pick up Miss Emma for their annual visit, she seems to have come down with a cold. Instead of spending hours arguing with both his Aunt and miss Emma he takes the food and listens to them. I feel he did this because of his respect/care towards the two.
He actually argues with them a lot when Ms. Emma was "sick". He didn't believe her and he is only visiting Jefferson because of Vivian.
DeleteIts almost as if the older black woman of the story take on a sort of matriarchal role which commands the respect and loyalty of men like Grant.
DeleteI agree with Alex, he did put up a little fight, though, fighting with older people is kind of a disrespectful thing in any culture.
DeleteJessie, I don't think that fighting with older people is necessarily disrespectful, but sometimes it can show ignorance in the younger person.
DeleteDevin, but some people are brought up to respect their elders in respect.
DeleteResponse #2 How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American history? The story is rich with the history of the plight of African-Americans at that time, it outlines and emphasizes the way that black people were treated by whites and how ruthless the law systems could be, purely based on the color of a mans skin, in any circumstances. The story also shows the racial ignorance that was born in the minds and hearts of white people of the time, from stereotypes about black people, established hundreds of years before.
ReplyDeleteResponse #1 How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) reflect or illuminate the current state of race relations in our country? Have we made any progress as a society? I think that the story shows a striking resemblance between the racial condition of now and then. You may think that there would be major contrast between the racial situations between the two time periods but there are still stereotypes held onto today that were born in the racially ignorant minds of the white populous of the time period. And in terms of violent racial conflict such as the one that is practically the main theme behind the story, well, we might as well still be putting innocent black people to death like that today, with all of the senseless murders of black people today.
ReplyDeleteResponse #3 In what ways does this book refute the notion of the “single story”? I think that A lesson before dying, refutes the notion of a single story by setting up the character Grant, as an educated black man. Grant is set up to fulfill an archetype of young and ambitious knowledge, to contrast the stubborn disposition of Jefferson. While reading and studying Grant as a character, I was very interested in the fact that he was a college educated black man in a time period like this.
ReplyDeleteI found this book very similar to a single story. and I was also interested in how Grant was a educated man in this period of time
DeleteResponse #4 How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American culture? I would like to reference the major overarching plot of the story to address African-American culture with in the plot. The fact that this whole thing (being Jefferson's death sentence) is transpiring, is an example of black culture because there was many instances over many years where blacks have had to deal with being persecuted by whites and living in a world where you experience almost no justice for you or your people. I realize that this isn't a major example of what we may think of as culture, but its more of an analysis on the lifestyle of blacks at the time, and what you may experience if you were a black person at that time.
ReplyDeleteResponse 4. Question 4
ReplyDeleteThe book illuminates the current state of race relations by showing how it is different today. In this book perhaps one of the most racist people is the sheriff. It is quite clear that the sheriff thinks less of blacks as on page 46 when Grant visits the sheriff he says how he expects Grant to to say and do certain thinks befitting of a black.HE mentions this later in the jail on page 177 Grant says batries instead of batteries in order to keep on the good side of the sheriff. We have made progress in the fact that nowadays African-Americans can do things if someone is racist to them. Just like in the book there are some racist police officers. This is reverent to the things going on in Ferguson. Of course what people are doing there is not the right thing, but they are doing things where as opposed to the time in the book they can't do anything. The main difference is that today people can do things about racism its just that they are not doing the right things.
Response: in what way does this book refute on a single story? This book I think is similar to a single story because the women in a single story was educated African-American and when she came to the U.S a women thought she wasn't educated and listened to different music. And in A Lesson Before Dying Grant was educated in this time period and I found that very Interesting how at this time they were being mistreated and being slaves. So I was very intrigued that he had a education.
ReplyDeleteI agree in that it is surprising to see an African-American with an education in times like this.
DeleteThe slave owners of the 1800s wanted well educated, Christian slaves.
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ReplyDeleteResponse #3:
ReplyDeleteQuestion: #3: In what ways does this book refute the notion of the “single story”?
The book A Lesson Before Dying refutes the notion of the "single story" in a couple ways. One is that during the trial for Jefferson when his defense was talking to the jury and saying things like on page 7 and 8, "What you see here is a thing that acts on command on command. A thing to hold the handle of a plow, a thing to load your bales of cotton, a thing to dig your ditches, to chop your wood, to pull your corn." This is all referring to Jefferson. The defense is saying this because Jefferson is African-American and those are the expected things of one. To follow, one thing that is expected of African-Americans of this time is that they are not smart. The book has mentioned twice that if Jefferson appears too smart Henri Pichot and the sherif won't trust him and won't let him visit Jefferson. One of those times were on page 156 when Grant had asked the reasoning for the date of Jefferson's execution, " 'Why that date?' I asked. Guidry drank from his cup and looked over the rim at me. He did not like me; I was one of the smart ones."
Response #4:
ReplyDeleteQuestion #4: How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) reflect or illuminate the current state of race relations in our country? Have we made any progress as a society?
In the book Jackie Robinson had recently been the first African-American to join the white league baseball. This is much different from the current state in our country with a large percentage of athletes in sports such as football and basketball are African-American. This has been a lot of progress because within the past century African-Americans weren't even allowed to participate on white sports teams.
Great point, Devin! And these black athletes are revered by blacks and whites alike.
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DeleteI agree I think that it is nice to see how well the issue of race has come Since then when few blacks were even given the right to play sports.
DeleteIn only about 70 years we have gone from one black athlete to a majority of black major league athletes.
DeleteThe jump from what was very few african americans sports players to almost all basketball and football players was amazing to say the least.
DeleteThis aspect is a interesting part of the book. It is so true that athletics now a days are so much more improved and equal, along with many other rights. Jackie Robinson was a brave man who was risking his life to play baseball and change the world. He knew the dangers that were upon him, but he was determined. If he were still alive today, he would be so thrilled at the progress that has been made in sports, and segregation.
DeleteHow does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American HISTORY?
ReplyDeleteI think that there were many great african american athletes back the 40's and 50's, and still today. None until Jackie could show that talent in the big leagues or other leagues like that because of their color. After Jackie it started TO OPEN up and more and more people were able to get in. It was definitely a struggle, and took a lot to get through. In the end as of today there are so many great athletes of all races, and it is allowed. Some could even argue that there are a lot more african american players in sports these days then their are of caucasian players. Look at the NBA or college basketball for example. If you look at the college basketball tournament going on right now, many of the teams are majority african american. One team, Wisconsin in majority caucasian. The color and ethnicity equality is a lot better than the previous years. This just goes to show how much progress has been made, and how much more we can make in our society in that amount of time.
I also thought that there were many great African-American athletes and there are some great athletes now too! and your right the majority of race in the basketball tournament right now is African-Americans
DeleteGoing off of what Sam said, most sports these days like football and basketball are african-american dominated. The tables have turned and in a drastic fashion.
DeleteRespons 2: How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American HISTORY?
ReplyDeleteThis book illuminates aspects of black history by showing the segregation there was in this country. I think there is definitely still lots of racism in the United States but it has gotten a lot better. In this book they show how everything was separate and unequal. Congress did decide in those years that things could be separate but they had to be equal. This is not how it ended up being at all though. Schools were separate, and had non equal materials like for example books. African american schools were not given as nice materials, or water fountains or anything like that. Very little if anything, was equal.
I agree with you on the point you made Cole. Inequality and racism are still evident in U.S. culture and society.
DeleteIt shows how little congress and the government cared towards the black community. It makes the point of saying they only passed it to seem fair. I'm glad you brought up these points, showing the faults in segregation.
DeleteThis is true where we are told that the school is in the basement of a church.
DeleteResponse 3: In what ways does this book refute the notion of the “single story”?
ReplyDeleteThis book refutes the book in not such a strong way, but it definitely does some. There were not many people at all with a good education in this time period. In this book there is a man with one though. This is refuting a single story notion about african americans in this time period. Not a good education, not many rights, and poor. This man was well educated. The single story of african americans, is proven to be used when this man is different than the usual story. Just like in the TED talk when the girl only had a single story of different people and she had only heard certain stereotypes; along with the Americans when she came to America.
Grant Wiggins is definitely an odd one out when it comes to African American education at this time period. Very few Black Americans were educated and for one to go to college was practically un-heard.
DeleteFree Response
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for Grant. No matter what he does he seems to have someone looking down on him. Despite the fact that he is doing Miss Emma a favor and visiting Jefferson, he still receives criticism from his aunt. If he is talking to someone in a higher class he is looked upon for being too smart. I feel bad for his lack of recognition and appreciation. No matter what he seems to do, no one seems to care.
The whole time he was putting on the Christmas show at the church, Reverend Ambrose kept making remarks about his sins, and that how he wasn’t letting God help him. Or when he found the date of Jefferson’s execution and visited Miss Emma, his aunt still gave him the cold shoulder. I feel Grant deserves more gratitude for everything he is doing especially from all the people he is helping.
I agree that Grant has people looking over him. People take advantage of him and don't thank him for things he doesn't even have to do.
DeleteI think that the only people who really respected him were Jefferson and Paul.
DeleteI agree with you in how I feel bad for Grant. He gets no respect from anyone, which he deserves. The criticism Grant receives is tough and even if he does something right. Lack of appreciation is what sums it up.
Delete
ReplyDeleteResponse #5 Free Write How has the south changed since the 1940s?
In the 1940s WW2 was starting and the us was getting out of the great depression but there was another problem, the racial differences. In the 40s there was one black major league athlete, (Jackie Robins ). Now in 2015 some of the worlds best athletes are black. NBA is mostly African-American, MLB has some and the few are either fast runners are big hitters (David Ortiz). The NFL has about half and half whites and blacks. In just 70 years we have improved 100% in the world of sports. Another change is segregation. In the story Grant went to buy the radio and the woman there didn’t want to give him one but finally gave in. There are a few people that are racial but for the most part it is even. If any thing it is tipping towards blacks. Some colleges will pick people because they are black and they know they will be a great athlete. In 70s years we have came a long way.
If you told someone from that time period how racial equality is today they would think that you were crazy.
DeleteI really like that you included many different pieces of evidence to back up your claim. But the sentence, "they are black and they know they will be a great athlete" gives the idea that ALL black people are great athletes, and some aren't.
DeleteThese are great points. The change in athletics are incredible, and how much more competitive the games are now. Everyone can play and show their talents. It makes everything so much more interesting to watch and play.
DeleteResponse # 6 How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American history?
ReplyDeleteIn slave time blacks were equivalent to animals because people didn’t think that they were human. In the 1940s they were considered ‘human’ but weren’t treated as highly are whites were. They had jobs, education and homes but they weren’t equal. In slave time they had no rights but in the 40s they were starting to get rights. In African-American history blacks stuck together because sometimes that was all they had. In the story Grant shows that. He would do anything for Jefferson so that his last few months were the best. There are many aspects of history that reflect the story.
To me it seems that the way that the author write the story made it seem that discrimination was just a normal thing back then.
DeleteThe jobs and educations they had were not equal at all, I agree with you. Most african americans were slaves, or had almost no education. Very few had a good job or education.
DeleteResponse 4: In what ways does this book refute the notion of the “SINGLE story”?
ReplyDeleteThere is more to the single story of this book, then just education. This book shows some of the stereotypes of 1900's african american. For example religious, field working slaves, that don't have a job they want or anything like that. For example Grant Wiggins has a college education. He did have to escape to get it but he got an education. This single story on african americans in this time period were not all true. Some states were more harsh with laws on african americans than others. There were black schools, and they did get an education. Some even got a good education. Not all people worked on farms or were very religious either. A majority of people were very religious, or worked on farms but not all. Matthew Antoine was a mixed race man but he was still educated and had a good job. He was a teacher. Not every african american had horrible lives but many, many did. The stereotypes are things you have to be careful of because they aren't all true. No stereotype can categorize a type or group of people, animals, or anything like that. Everyone is different and live different lives. The single story, is dangerous.
Good job connecting the story's cole (;
DeleteI like how you connected the story's cole ;0 fantastic. Good writing skills is what you have.
DeleteResponse 5. Question 1
ReplyDeleteThe culture that the book illuminates is the education of African-Americans. Some African-Americans did not have good education. This is evident in chapter 29 when it shows Jefferson's journal. There is not one form of punctuation throughout the entire chapter and only a few words were spelled right. On there other hand some African-Americans had great schooling. Grant went to university and bother he and Vivian are teachers. Grant is hard on his students to learn and is very strict. There was a mix of educated and uneducated African-Americans at the time period. It just depended on whether they went to school or not.
An african american in this time period having that good of an education is rare. I agree many had very little to no education, nothing like we have today. Now a days everyone gets an equal education. Back then sadly that was not that case.
DeleteResponse 6. Free Write
ReplyDeleteFor my free write I will talk about the character of Paul Bonin. We first get to a look into Paul's personality on page 126. When Grant visits the jail Paul answers his questions respectfully. He talks to Grant like he thought of him as equal to him, despite their different races. This is different to the other white people like the sheriff and the superintendent. He also gives Grant advice on ow to deal with Jefferson, "You don't get too close to somebody going to be executed. Be decent, treat him right, but that's all." Paul clearly respects Grant. After Grant visits Jefferson, Paul asks how it went. This shows that Paul cares about Jefferson. I think that Paul thinks that Jefferson is innocent. Not once does he show any sign that he thinks Jefferson is guilty. When Paul and the other deputies went to get Jefferson for his execution Paul seemed respectful towards him. However the other deputies seemed almost afraid of him. After the execution Paul personally goes to see Grant. He says how he couldn't watch the execution, as if Jefferson was his friend. He complements Grant on how his transformation of Jefferson. He says how, "(Jefferson) was the strongest man in that crowded room" on page 253. At the end he says how he wants to be friend with Grant. Paul is certainly not a racist and sees both blacks and whites as equal. Unfortunately for him that was not accepted back then. He just had to stand by and help anyone he can.
I'm really glad you wrote about Paul, because he is such a great character. Throughout the whole book he has been there for both Grant and Jefferson and respected them both the same, despite the situation.
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DeleteI think Paul was a great character as well he was not racist because he thought it was wrong, and to me it seemed he didn't care if anyone racist or not knew he thought this way, and I think thats a very admirable quality some people have; to not act a certain way because your worried about what some one else will think.
DeleteI too liked Paul. Maybe above all of the other characters. Paul was a new deputy, as the sheriff stated so himself. Paul's views were untainted by the biased and frankly racist ideals of those surrounding him in the station and held those morals close to him to the very end of the book.
DeleteHow does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American history and culture.
ReplyDeleteBlack culture has been a great influence on many different styles of music, specifically gospel music. Religion is a huge topic in this time and it is expressed many times by Reverend Ambrose and other characters like Tante Lou and Miss Emma. I feel it is a large part of African American history due to their lack of rights and freedom. It allowed them to have an escape and believe that there is something after death.
I have also noticed many of these aspects of our modern day culture that have stemmed from early black american culture such as gospel music, jazz and the blues.
DeleteI agree, many different genres have been either created, or just added to by african american culture. In this book it is mostly gospel music but in modern times there are more genres. Some country, rap, gospel, soul, all types of music.
DeleteEXTRA POST- #7
ReplyDeleteIn the final pages of the book, to me it really showed what everything comes down to. Many of the characters, no matter what race black or white, no one really seemed like they wanted to see Jefferson die. Even the deputy wished they day hadn't come. This part really made all the characters seem more human. No one likes death no matter who it's on. People from all over the town were both intrigued and disgusted at the same time and many went home/ got as far as they could from the courthouse. The people specifically in the black community agreed to cease work for the day of Jefferson’s execution and pay respects to him and his aunt in her hour of need.
I noticed this too. Everyone involved didn't seem comfortable or happy with the execution. On the third line I'm not sure if you meant the Sheriff instead of the deputy when you said "Even the deputy wished the day hadn't come." But it is still correct because neither wished the day had come
DeleteResponse #3 How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) reflect or illuminate the current state of race relations in our country? Have we made any progress as a society?
ReplyDeleteThis Book reflects our current state of race relations in one main way. Racism is still here. No matter how much we want to say it's gone, it isn't and honestly racism is always going to be around, you can't change the way someone thinks once it's ingrained enough into their brain. Now when I hear the word racism, the first thing that pops into my mind is black people. And that idea is mainly sculpted by what our society has shaped it to be. But not only is white people racist towards black people, black people are also racist towards us. So it's a two way street. You might hear about white on black racism more because it's had the most past history and it's the most obvious and obnoxious. But under the radar flies other racist comments and actions done by the minorities. So they aren't all just taking heat with nothing in return.
I agree with you Greg. Racism in this country is still here, and nobody can deny that. I think that to change racism, our age group and century has to change that. We need to teach our siblings and eventually, children.
DeleteResponse #4 Free Response: I'm going to mainly talk about how black people have dominated the United States Sports scene. 1947. That's the year Jackie Robinson first played and since then the whole sports scene has changed. Basketball and Football are both sports that are basically all African-American. 60 or 70 years ago no one would have expected blacks to take-over the sports scene, but they have definitely put a dent into the old stereotypes. African-American players have changed the pace and gameplay of sports permanently and in a tremendous way. Basketball before 1950's was slow and very few players dunked and played as athletic as is expected now. African-Americans not only changed the way people thought about basketball, but how the sport was played itself. That's pretty incredible.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Both sports have changed a large amount after African-Americans joined it, and have made it what is it now.
DeleteI agree with you, but it's not only those sports. Every sport has been sculpted into a mixed race sport. The game is now more competitive and there is even more talent.
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ReplyDeleteIn what ways does this book refute the notion of the “single story”?
ReplyDeleteIn A Lesson Before Dying it chows the single story by telling us that they do a lot of the manual labor and how they have the downgraded schooling place, you can say I am making the children learn in the basement of a church. Also if any Af-Am got schooling or education.
Free Response: Trial
ReplyDeleteIn this period, I understand how they might not have as modern things as us, or they don't have the cool gadgets that can make a missing face from just a skull, but there was no true evidence to convict Jefferson of Murder. I do understand how because how Jefferson was an African-American that people thought of course he murdered the people, but isn't that what the judge is for? To make sure that the trial hat is being tried is a fair trial? The only evidence that was on Jefferson what that he was at the scene of the crime with cash. He could have merely been buying something, or walking by and saw a fight, which lead to gunshots and thought he should make sure that everyone is okay. Now, when you see someone at the scene of the crime the police would bring the person in for questioning. If it was a public place where the shooting happened. Which it was in the book, then there is a good chance that the place would have some form of security of some sort.
How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American culture? Be specific!
ReplyDeleteI think that A Lesson Before Dying really shows the Af-Am culture in one of the last chapters when we are reading Jefferson's book. For instance he spelled blue like "blu", he obviously sounded it out. It shows that Af-Am didn't have a very strong learning background. Jefferson knew the word he just spelled the word as he sounded it out.
I agree. The author makes specific choices with how the characters read, write and speak to one another to show their heritage. A lot of this slang and misspellings actually come from the time of slavery in which the slave masters would not allow their slaves to be educated beyond basic speech. During those times it was very rare for a slave to be able to read let alone write.
DeleteResponse #5:
ReplyDeleteFree Response: Justice in the past.
I think that in the past bringing a criminal to justice was much different than it is now. Even though Jefferson was accused of killing three people I don't think that in our days he would've been sentenced to death. The reason he was sentenced to death is probably because he is black, the entire jury was white, and the death penalty was legal in more places. In these days the death penalty is illegal in ten states including ours so thats probably why we don't hear of the death penalty very often if at all. He was most likely sentenced to death because of all the racism back then.
Response #6:
ReplyDeleteQuestion #1: How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American culture? Be specific! (Page references are helpful.)
One way the book illuminates African-American culture is saying how they admire their achievements in sports. On page 87, Grant listens to two older men talking about things Jackie Robinson had achieved in the past two years. They remembered when he got his first hit, and who it was against. They remembered the first time he stole two bases in one game and the first time he stole home. This shows how much an impact Jackie had on these two men as they remembered so much about him.
A Lesson Before Dying - Response #3
ReplyDeleteQuestion #1 - How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American culture? Be specific!
I think that we can see a lot of early and even contemporary african-american culture with how the black members of the community act and communicate, as language and speech is as big a part of a culture as anything. African-american school children did not receive the same level of education as the white children did. As Mr. Wiggins mentions at one point to Paul, the african-american children, deprived of things such as new school books and pencils, start school a month later than the white children and get out two months earlier for break. This reflects back onto the dictation and level of communication in which these 1940s african-americans would speak. Dropping Rs at the ends of their sentences, slurring words together to form new words entirely such as “youman” as used by Jefferson to describe his relationship to Grant. Grammar and spelling are also very poor with the average member of the community as well. Terms such as “You was” and “Ain’t I” being commonly used by Mr. Wiggins’ students and often corrected by him as well. One of the main reasons that the Sheriff and higher standing white members of the community have such an issue with Grant is because he does not possess any of these qualities, so common in the culture of the time.
A Lesson Before Dying - Response #4
ReplyDeleteQuestion #3 - In what ways does this book refute the notion of the “single story”?
For us as white-american Maine freshmen, I feel like anything in this book refutes the notion of the “single story” and shows us how wrong our single perception of the african-american culture can be. We have limited exposure to other cultures by living in the most densely white-inhabited state in the country. Every and any information and knowledge pertaining to foreign cultures, even those within our own country can only be gained by social media, books, TV shows and movies, all of which contain their own idea of african-american culture and further supporting the single story.
This book however written by Ernest J. Gaines, an african-american himself, provides a new light onto the everyday life of a mid 1940s african-american professor, something I am sure that none of us have any experience with. Of course before reading this book we could assume a few things based off of the little knowledge that we had about the time period. That racial-tentions at the time were very high anyway due to the continuous segregation of whites and blacks and that it was a pretty morose time due due World War II. Gaines’ description of the everyday life of Grant Wiggins from his hours spent teaching the neighborhood children in the church to his moments spent with Ms. Vivian at the Rainbow Club show us not only what the educational system was like at the time and refutes the idea that african-american children were simply uneducated, but also shows how similar certain habits and past times of the characters who would have lived over eighty years ago to the white men and women now a days who partake in similar if not identical activities such as drinking at a bar, listening to an important sporting event with a community and playing outside during school. All of these, these little things that Gaines’ mentions throughout his book refutes the notion of the “single story” of southern 1940s african-americans.
Response 5: Free response
ReplyDeleteI find the content and story in this book very true and interesting. It shows the life of many african americans in this time period. It really brings out the detail, and what it was really like living then. The 1940's was full of segregation, of schools, work, sports, everything. Finally Jackie Robinson became the first african american athlete to play in the MLB. And from there the segregation didn't stop. Jackie got booed, and harassed. People hit him with pitches on purpose. Jackie just kept fighting. So many people believed in him, and looked up to him that he couldn't just stop there. This pride and strength that Jackie had is what made more african americans play in white sports. Segregation wasn't just there. In schools things could be separate, but they had to be equal. Nothing was equal. It disgusts me that prior, and still today americans think of them differently, and think african americans deserve less than us. They aren't any different, just the color of there skin. This book really shows how ignorant people were, by thinking that someone is different just because the color of their skin. We have mad so much progress, but there is still progress to be made today. I hope that racism will be gone someday.
Response 6: How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) reflect or illuminate the current state of race relations in our country? Have we made any progress as a society?
ReplyDeleteThis entire story shows how our society used to be 80 years ago, and how much progress we have made as a culture. In the time of this book (1940's Louisiana) segregation was enforced. There were Jim Crow laws making sure african americans couldn't touch a white women, or go to white schools. Everything and most everyone was segregated against. There were very few african americans who had a good job, and did not live in complete fear and discretion. Schools were separate, and not even close to equal. There was lack of good education for african americans, and lack of rights like voting or being a citizen. It was an unfair and unpleasant society for most americans. We have made a tremendous amount of progress since then, with athletes, and as a whole society. Everyone has rights to vote and be a citizen. We can improve even more though. There is still some racism in our society, as you can tell from the ferguson events. Progress has been made, and more will be made.
Response 6: How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) reflect or illuminate the current state of race relations in our country? Have we made any progress as a society?
ReplyDeleteThis entire story shows how our society used to be 80 years ago, and how much progress we have made as a culture. In the time of this book (1940's Louisiana) segregation was enforced. There were Jim Crow laws making sure african americans couldn't touch a white women, or go to white schools. Everything and most everyone was segregated against. There were very few african americans who had a good job, and did not live in complete fear and discretion. Schools were separate, and not even close to equal. There was lack of good education for african americans, and lack of rights like voting or being a citizen. It was an unfair and unpleasant society for most americans. We have made a tremendous amount of progress since then, with athletes, and as a whole society. Everyone has rights to vote and be a citizen. We can improve even more though. There is still some racism in our society, as you can tell from the ferguson events. Progress has been made, and more will be made.
response 3: How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) reflect or illuminate the current state of race relations in our country? Have we made any progress as a society? the whole book shows how society was about 70-80 years ago. and society has made big steps every race can go to school together now and African-Americans are some of the best athletes in the world now. We have had mage big steps but there is still racism in society.
ReplyDeleteIn what ways does this book refute the notion of the “single story”? Well I think the character Grant is a good example he is a educated African-American which would be hard for African-Americans back then because they were not treated equal as everyone so it was uncommon for them to have a education. And in the single story the women came from Africa and the women in the U.S thought she wouldn't know much about american culture
ReplyDeleteFree response: I find this book very intriguing because it shows how much life has changed over the years and Africa-Americans are big rolls in america. Examples President Obama the first black president and also there are amazing athletes that are African-Americans! this is just shows how much society has "bonded". There is still racism in society but people are finally figuring out the color of your skin does not matter!!!
ReplyDeleteresponse 6: How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American history? This book shows how bad African-Americans were treated. they weren't even considered a full human being they were considered property and 1/8th of a human being. That makes your stomach sick that they didn't consider them as humans but now we have the first African-American of the United States That is a big leap from 1/8th of a person to a president!
ReplyDelete