THE FOURTH OF JULY
Now, you must be thinking, 'Well, Ann, that's quite disappointing. You should know basic facts such as this.
Believe, me I know. I should be more internationally-conscious.
You'll be glad to know that I'm actively working on doing just that!
I was particularly excited about this holiday because it gives me the chance to talk about my favorite subject—books!
I'm delighted to use this opportunity, once again to talk about my favorite authors—this time American ones.
Last week, Netflix released its first season of The Babysitters' Club by Ann M. Martin.
Now, I can't speak for anyone else, but I can attest to the fact that I myself learned a great deal about taking responsibility, childcare, mourning, loss, friendships, and relationships from this wonderful series.
Though I can't guarantee action-movie loving kids will fancy this, I think every boy and girl should try at least two books in this series. There's a storyline for every palate.
Another series she wrote that I deeply enjoyed was Main Street.
Described as 'a timeless new series for girls.' by Google Books, this is a set of ten books that I believe just about everyone should read.
Equal parts fun. friendship and family and equal parts loss, grief, and mourning, this book is not afraid to deal with the hard stuff— and it's not in a bad way.
Having experienced some form of injustice myself over the years, racism, oppression, and discrimination have always been close to my heart.
In spite of this, I have generally avoided delving into issues of racism in America despite how much this has been in in the news recently. This is my reason:
I have always been black, but never black in America.
I, therefore, do not believe I am well equipped to contribute to this discussion in a manner that adequately acknowledges the gravity of the situation or how severe the implications are on each of its victims.
Today, however, I have chosen to suggest two books for my readers that address racism in a greatly affecting manner.
These have colored—to a large extent— the opinions I have formed of this terrible social malady.
1. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This was a journey through Scout's mind. But it was also a period of searching for me. As I probed the deep recesses of my mind and soul, I questioned the motivations behind the decisions and choices I made each day, the opinions I formed of people before I even interacted with them, the prejudices and stereotypes I unintentionally harbored and revealed towards people just because they were not like me.
Of course, I fancied myself an Atticus of sorts. I would be a hero, a savior—or so my little-girl- mind told me.
I was crushed when I realized that there was really nothing that I could say or do that would save Tom.
Crushed that one more mockingbird, an innocent soul whose only mistake was existing, would be reduced to a heap of rotting flesh by the senseless desires of a self-absorbed hunter, a gunman that preyed upon not just the blood of his victims but derived the greatest satisfaction from feasting on their souls.
It is a must-read.
2. Native Son by Richard Wright
When I think of the Southside of Chicago, I usually think of the inspirational story of Michelle Obama's rise to a position of great power and influence, and of course, her struggle as an ambassador for the education and empowerment of women and girls—especially girls and women like me.
However, this story reminds me of a darker, more sinister truth that exists within this community and many other communities in America.
A new job.
A fresh start.
A chance to earn a better life.
To see the careworn face of your overworked mother crinkle into a proud affectionate smile at her worthy son.
Unfortunately, that was not to be the fate of Bigger Thomas.
An accident.
A mistake.
Some definitions:
Murder: killing somebody with “malice aforethought,”
Forms: First-degree murder: willfully and deliberately committed with premeditation.
Second-degree murder: when a person intentionally meant to kill another person but it was not planned or premeditated, such as in a “heat of passion” or the killing was the result of a person’s dangerous conduct involving a conscious disregard for human life.
Example from the School of Life: When a black man kills a white man
Manslaughter: unlawful killing of another person or persons, but without any malice but still involves a “conscious disregard for human life.”
Manslaughter can be voluntary (heat of passion or in the defense of yourself or others)y or involuntary (unintentional and the result of recklessness or criminal negligence).
Example from the school of life: White man shoots and kills a black man.
When I read this book, I had already read To Kill A Mockingbird, and I was struck by how each time, a white girl played an instrumental role in implicating the black man 'help' of the crime.
Is it indicative of the perceptions and portrayal of women in a past time, or is there more we can pick apart in these narratives besides the historical progression of racism in America?
I will be very glad to hear some opinions from my readers.
There are many more books of the American Literary genre: I shall tackle them later.
However, in the spirit of keeping my posts as succinct as possible, I think this is a good place as any to take a thinking break.
Legal definitions from https://www.sevenslegal.com/criminal-attorney/difference-murder-manslaughter/281/
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