Sandra Millington
English 4
Professor De witt
08/29/2013
Even Odds
In the 21st century young African American boys find it
difficult to survive and graduate due to drastic challenges in Oakland. Over
the past decade we lost approximately 800 African American young men in Oakland
to homicide. Are we willing to see more astounding rates of homicide of African
American boys in Oakland? The question
facing many people in the Bay Area right now and it’s probably the single most
question we face. Should we be concerned about the escalating rise in homicide
of African American boys in Oakland?
Yes, we care. The English 4 students at Chabot College care and we want
to analyze the problems and help to be part of the resolution. Some of the
challenges facing this demographic population range from racism, segregation,
limited resources, lack of vocational programs, limited athletic facilities,
poverty and socioeconomic challenges, police profiling, they get less attention
in school and often are subjected to harsher punishment that leads to
suspension which impedes their full potential as students. As a result of all these
problems they add to their vulnerability and become easy targets for drug
dealers who exploit and expose them to sex, guns, and drugs which lead to early
incarceration. The most single piece of the puzzle that’s missing is successful
intelligent African American role models with high morals to identify with
them, mentor, motivate and empower these boys.
Paul D
ReplyDeletePaul D encountered lots of emotional and physical brutality at Sweet Home and as a member of the chain gang has caused him to bury his feelings in the 'rusted tobacco tin' of his heart. He represses his painful memories and believes that the key to survival is not becoming too attached to anything. At the same time he seems to incite the opening up to others hearts and women in particular tends to confide in him. Sethe welcomes him to 124 Bluestone Road, ever since they were enslaved at Sweet Home Paul admired her but she chose Halle her husband who is still enslaved. Paul eventually becomes her lover ant the object of Denver and Beloved's jealousy. Though the union with Sethe provides Paul D with stability and allows him to come to term with his past he constantly doubts his identity regarding his manhood and his value as a person.
ReplyDeleteDenver is Sethe's fourth and youngest child, she is named after an indentured servant Amy Denver who helped Sethe while pregnant to deliver the baby. Sethe was grateful so she names the baby after her. Traumatized as a young girl by what discovered about her mother she isolated herself and was very lonely. She focus her love and devotion on Beloved's spirit, that why Sethe mention her as a charmed child. She has survived impossible challenges and displayed intelligence and promise as a child, but her innocence is destroyed when she discovers what Sethe did to her sister and probably plan to do it to her too. With the loss of her grandmother and her two brothers she became increasingly self-centered and isolated. Even though she is a young adult her attitudes is childlike. For instances she behaves rudely when Paul D arrived and wants to hear stories about herself. Denver's initial immaturity demonstrates how Sethe's inability to escape her past and has also trapped her daughters. Beloved is dead and and remains forever a child in their house and Denver lives as a child never venturing beyond her own yard. Beloved’s arrival at124 marks the beginning of Denver's transformation, she finally has someone to love and devote her time to, she was lazy but she became industrious. As Beloved slowly takes over the house and weakens Sethe, Denver recognizes that the family’s survival rest upon her shoulders. She is finally able to step out if her comfort zone and start her own life. She finally has become a part of the larger community and appears to have a future with love and family ahead of her.
Sandra Millington
ReplyDeleteEnglish 4
Professor de Witt
12/ 10/ 2013
Summary on Stamp Paid
Stamp Paid is considered by the community to be a figure of salvation in the town; he is also welcome at every door in the town. As an agent for the Underground Railroad he is responsible for Sethe’s freedom and also saved Denver’s life. It was a grave sacrifice he made during his enslavement at Sweet Home has caused him to consider his emotional and moral debts to be paid off for the rest of his life. That the main reason he decided to change his name to Stamp Paid. He still thinks he owes protection and care to Sethe and Denver at 124. His red ribbon signifies the slaves who shed their blood and drown in the river. But ,moreover the little girl whose ribbon was attached to her curly hair, which was still attached to a part of her scalp. He is angered by the community for neglecting Sethe, Denver and Paul D. He is also angry that the community for refusing to tell Sethe and Baby Suggs that School teacher was in the town trying to get Sethe and her children to return to Sweet Home. That was the reason Sethe got crazy and killed her baby. He begins to question the nature of a community’s obligation to one another. Stamp Paid also has the ability to hear voices.