Curtis Haynes (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} cuhaynes) wrote,@ 2004-12-12 03:09:00 |
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The Autobiography of An Ex-Colored Man
I am one of the many who has never heard of the author James Weldon Johnson before. I guess I should not be shocked by that considering how the educational system works in the high schools. The selection of novels that schools pick out for the students to read are not all that diverse. However, I graduated high school in '98, which was six years ago, so things could have changed since then. Anyways, I would have loved to have read this book in high school because I was able to identify with the narrator and his concern with the issue of race. As an African American I know, personally that I am constantly concerned with how other races perceive my actions, my speech, as a black man living in today's time. If one where white one would have a difficult time understanding how the topic of race is always on the minds of blacks in America. As long as we are the minority, the issue of race will forever be on our minds. When I talk to any of my white friends I do wonder what they truly think of me and my race, it is just a concern of mine that I cannot shake.
I felt very reluctant to say what I wanted to say in class because I do not like being looked at as the spokesperson for all African Americans. So I am sorry Lisa if you are reading this, and you wanted me to give my opinion on whether I thought the narrator was a sell out or not, in class Friday. I walked in class that day not wanting to say anyting for that reason. Other than that, I was interested to see what the white students' response would be to reading the book without a black person having to say something. I do have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with everyone's overall reaction to the book. :) After, I had time to actually think about it, I should have addressed the class and told them that I did not want to be the spokesperson for all blacks and then give my opinion. I probably did more of a diservice by keeping my mouth shut, so I am sorry.
So, now I am taking the time to tell what I thought. I did think that the narrator's actions were to be that of a sell out to his race. However, if one were to be in the circumstance that he was in, living in times that he was in, I could honestly say that I would have done the exact same thing;
regardless if it meant being dishonest with myself. It really all comes down to what the individal valued in her/his life. But that is just me. Not all blacks, just one blacks opinion.
I am one of the many who has never heard of the author James Weldon Johnson before. I guess I should not be shocked by that considering how the educational system works in the high schools. The selection of novels that schools pick out for the students to read are not all that diverse. However, I graduated high school in '98, which was six years ago, so things could have changed since then. Anyways, I would have loved to have read this book in high school because I was able to identify with the narrator and his concern with the issue of race. As an African American I know, personally that I am constantly concerned with how other races perceive my actions, my speech, as a black man living in today's time. If one where white one would have a difficult time understanding how the topic of race is always on the minds of blacks in America. As long as we are the minority, the issue of race will forever be on our minds. When I talk to any of my white friends I do wonder what they truly think of me and my race, it is just a concern of mine that I cannot shake.
I felt very reluctant to say what I wanted to say in class because I do not like being looked at as the spokesperson for all African Americans. So I am sorry Lisa if you are reading this, and you wanted me to give my opinion on whether I thought the narrator was a sell out or not, in class Friday. I walked in class that day not wanting to say anyting for that reason. Other than that, I was interested to see what the white students' response would be to reading the book without a black person having to say something. I do have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with everyone's overall reaction to the book. :) After, I had time to actually think about it, I should have addressed the class and told them that I did not want to be the spokesperson for all blacks and then give my opinion. I probably did more of a diservice by keeping my mouth shut, so I am sorry.
So, now I am taking the time to tell what I thought. I did think that the narrator's actions were to be that of a sell out to his race. However, if one were to be in the circumstance that he was in, living in times that he was in, I could honestly say that I would have done the exact same thing;
regardless if it meant being dishonest with myself. It really all comes down to what the individal valued in her/his life. But that is just me. Not all blacks, just one blacks opinion.
