Preview

Arrangement in Black and White

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
326 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Arrangement in Black and White
Arrangement in black and white

January 3rd 1955

Friday

Dear Diary,
A New Year, new beginnings and things will change. But for me the start of 1955 hasn’t been so great so far. Earlier today a close friend of mine threw a dinner party for me which I was so delighted and thrilled when I found out. I thought to myself, wow now people don’t segregate and have respect for different races, however a woman with pink velvet poppies thwarted me by being offensive to my race. She was scornful and had a patronizing attitude, although a bit of a bubbly white woman dressed up very posh that looked stubby and chubby in typical women heels, who thinks that she is very open-minded while her words continue to show that she is far from it. At first her approach seemed sociable then ironic by gossiping and being prejudice because I overheard her tell the host for tonight “wait until I tell Burton I called him ‘mister. I felt so wounded. She was even so close to calling Katherine Burke a ‘nigger’ oh god what a disgraceful phrase to say or to yet wonder about. I felt so sorry for the host tonight she was literally compelled to go from place to place by the women with pink velvet poppies as if the host were to be her tour guide. How egotistic of her. I purely do not approve of anyone like that, she utterly made it therefore awkward for the host and I In our conversations I even noticed that she awkwardly stopped twice before finishing off her sentences and it sounded as if she was trying to stop herself from saying something…. Mm..., I could see the loathing expression getting stronger and harder on the hosts face but obviously didn’t show it to her. Away from that I still had an astounding night singing my famous hits in front of an endearing

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Sometimes we go through life struggling to accept our identity or we try to fit a certain standard that is set by those other than ourselves,but in the end, only a select few abandon who they truly are. In this essay, I will be comparing the authors of “How To Tame A Wild Tongue” by Gloria Anzaldua, and “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” by Zora Hurston. Both Anzaldua and Hurston struggled to accept their identity based on social and cultural differences within their surroundings. This inevitably caused them to realize that what society rejects them for is what makes them who they are, and they accept it.…

    • 539 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This theme of the passing of racist and prejudice opinions that existed within southern America is further explored when Miss Maudie acknowledges that a ‘step’ has been taken towards less prejudice attitudes, Lee then uses the repetition of the verb ‘step’ to emphasise how it is a ‘baby-step’, and although this could be interpreted negatively, it is evident that Lee is illustrating that it’s a great thing that even small advancement towards less racist attitudes is a good thing, and again emphasises Miss Maudies positive view of Maycomb, and demonstrates that she’s hopeful of Maycomb’s change, and sees even the smallest of changes positively.…

    • 511 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mr.Lindner, the racist member of the Clybourne welcoming committee, shows us the racism and prejudice of the society in the 1950s. He goes to the Youngers and attempts to convince them that they shouldn’t move in and sell the house back to the committee. He tells the Youngers that ‘it is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities (A.2S.2).’ Lindner’s actions show us the views of the society and how they affect the family and their dream of moving to a better…

    • 619 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Katherine Dunham was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 22, 1909 as the youngest child of Albert Millard Dunham and Fanny June (Guillaume), with an older brother, Albert Jr., as well as children from her mother’s first marriage. Her heritage included Indian, French Canadian, English, Malagasy (Madagascan) and African ancestry (Aschenbrenner 7). Dunham’s mother passed away when Katherine was only four and their father left the children with their aunt Lulu, where Katherine faced multiple instances of prejudice as African Americans were flooding North at this time (Aschenbrenner 8). These early experiences of prejudice and as a go between in her aunt Lulu’s custody battle for Dunham and her brother played a large role her approach between classes, race and also as a “culture broker” for her dancers, students and people of other cultures (Aschenbrenner 8).…

    • 1405 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Without a doubt, Gwendolyn Brooks, as she aged and time passed, her entire focus, content, and style in her poetry shifted into an entirely different direction. In the 1960s, the previously vague and universal poetry that had Brooks sought, soon vanished, her style, content, and focus now emphasis now “...towards black solidarity and black pride in her poetry from the 1960's, reflecting her increasing awareness of the political potential of poetry” (Commentary on 1950…). Now, her poetry concentrated on politics and the style of militancy, she only began to write such poems after being “Inspired by the black power movement and the militancy of such poets as Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) and Haki R. Madhubuti (Don L. Lee)” (DISCovering Authors, 2003, Gwendolyn Brooks). Additionally, a good example of her newfound poetic change would be one her poems, “Gay Chaps at the Bar” which serves a brilliant gateway to introduce features that she included in her poems at the time: “...family life, war, the quest for contentment and honor, and the hardships caused by racism and poverty” (Discovering Authors, 2003, Gwendolyn Brooks). Undeniably, the poem itself directly appeals to these ideas, for example in lines 11 through 14, “No stout / Lesson showed how to chat with death. / No brass fortissimo, along our talents, / To holler down the lions in this air.” (Lines 11-14). Or, even lines 1 and 2 “We knew how to order. Just the dash / Necessary. The length of gayety in good taste.” (Lines 1-2). Even, Line 8 where she writes “Knew white speech. How to make a look an omen.” (Line 8). Evidently, this is not a calm, fun central idea, it seems to sound almost angry, almost bitter, as it describes this situation that seems all but friendly or cordial to narrator speaking. Unquestionably, Gwendolyn Brooks’ poetry changed drastically as she grew up, time changed, and…

    • 1778 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Think about the last book you read. Has it stood the “test of time”? Incorporated countless profound themes and insights? It most probably hasn’t. Unless it was Harper Lee’s, To Kill A Mockingbird. The story follows the life of Jean Louise (Scout), her family, the town of Maycomb and the hindrance coloured people faced. Through a series of morals and lessons, we learn sometimes respect, can be vexatious for people to manifest, however it can make all the difference in how you are viewed by yourself and others.Here, Calpurnia is trying to instill into Scouts head how everyone should be treated with respect, especially when they’re your guest. I find this quote indispensable because it refutes the southern thinking that white people were so courteous, and black people were the opposite. Not that Scout is the…

    • 694 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Nella Larson’s book, “Passing,” was written during a time of racial complexity. During this period slavery has ended but that has not ended the conflicts of races to occur such as prejudice and segregation. The story being narrated by Irene and is about two childhood friends, Clare Kendry and Irene Redfield, who have similar background because they both were born of mixed races, black and white. These two women have two different experiences in dealing with their racial identity and end growing up with opposite but similar lives from one another. This story deals with racial identity during a time where certain races were of higher statuses than the other. “Passing,” demonstrates many themes present in the story; themes from lies to betrayal, to identity crisis to race barriers. The book narrates the life of two women who are trapped in a black and white world and are having trouble with deciding which race they should identify themselves with. After the encounters, each woman tries to find their identity and each woman in the story experiences a “passing,” of their own. And lingering question remains, is it better to ignore a part of your racial heritage or should you find a way to cope with it?…

    • 1062 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Here at the University of California, San Diego, we are known for our diverse student body. With such an environment, I believe it to be appropriate to bring in stand-up comedian Wanda Sykes to come and perform for the university, but not just for the laughs that she will surely bring. Comedy is known to induce laughter, but it is also used to shine light on things that are not generally talked about due to the severity of the subjects, such as discrimination, child abuse, and sexual violence. Sykes addresses these kind of matters very well and in a healing way that help people look past stereotypes to understand each other more. Through her comedy that invokes social injustices and discrimination, Wanda Sykes touches on all the points Richard…

    • 2115 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Rainbow's end-belonging

    • 676 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Furthermore, the play conveys that the sense of belonging can be divided by relationships people are involved. When Dolly goes to the Miss Mooroopna-Shepparton Ball, she is the only person who is an Aborigine. “They’re looking at us”, Dolly is an unwelcome guest in the Ball between Whites. Then Nancy, who is also a White, says “Love your dress, Dolly. Love your fabric [with a giggle]…….I thought we took them to the tip.” sarcastically in a derogative tone. As the White is in higher status than the Aborigine, they used to isolate and discriminate them in…

    • 676 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    This essay I read called Graduation told a story about a young Middle School African American girl named Maya Angelou, who was graduating and was moving on to High School back in 1940. She was from a small town in Arkansas and was extremely excited to be graduating. She had high hopes for the future and right before the graduation ceremony, she felt like she was the birthday girl, the center of attention. She had done well for herself throughout the school year with very good academic grades and no tardiness and no absence. Her mom was proud and couldn't wait to see her daughter graduate, her mom even made her a nice dress. They had a guest speaker at the graduation ceremony his name was Mr. Donleavy. His introduction speech to the graduates had put the black race down while he praised the white kids and said they were going to be doing much better. that speech by Mr. Donleavy had really upset her. It made her feel really low about being black. Right after the speech one of her classmates went up to speak, his name was Henry Reed. He was the valedictorian. He read a poem that gave her hope and brought her back up in good spirits. She once again felt good about the color of her skin. The graduating class was happy and was encouraged by Henry Reed's speech, they felt like the black race was on top again.…

    • 410 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Passing by Nella Larsen

    • 1046 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In Nella Larsen’s “Passing”, she introduces a setting in the early 1920s where racial discrimination is mostly taking place. The main characters, Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, are interracial (mixed of white and African-American descent) women living in a “passing” society. According to Larsen, “passing” is when African American men or women with a light skin complexion can pass themselves off as a white person in order to enjoy the privileges given to whites during this time. Sometimes allowing yourself to pass can cause a downfall to your happiness in exchange for an idealized lifestyle you once had. Larsen shows us the various similarities between the lifestyles of Clare and Irene based on their marriages and parenting skills.…

    • 1046 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Claudia Rankine highlights social injustices that occur in the daily lives of people of color in her book “Citizen”. She put the wrong doings, prejudices and stereotypical situations against people of color into a collective story. It is troubling that these accounts occurred. These sort instances pinches something inside of you. A sense of irritation builds up. It puts into perspective that even in modern times such acts…

    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The issue of Cathy’s discrimination remark turned the heads of famous people, such as, Ellen Degeneres. The…

    • 1122 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine is a unique and complex book made of lyric poems that focuses on various topics of racism, identity and prejudice. With the piece of writing being a set of various lyric poems, the content can be hard to unpack but Rankine makes certain that even if the reader misses all the subliminal messages, they will certainly be able to understand the common themes inside the writing. I will analyze this piece by interpreting the themes that I understood from the book. One of the book’s themes is also a great commonality, identity, or as Rankine labels it the “Historical self and the self self” (Rankine 14). The “self self” is something that we experience, change, and form every day, and that can range from…

    • 1240 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Critical Thinking

    • 866 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Given the General Education Assignment in my Critical Thinking class was to evaluate the famous eulogy that Oprah Winfrey had spoken on October 31, 2005 at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C. for Rosa Parks. This speech was given in front of Reverend Braxton, family, friend, admirers, and the amazing choir. The purpose of this speech was for people to understand young Oprah’s Winfrey appreciation of Rosa Parks and what she did Oprah’s speech is about the effect that Rosa Parks had on her as a child growing up in the South, during height of the Civil Rights Movement. Oprah remembered as a child, how her father explained to her about this colored woman (Rosa Parks) who had refused to give up her seat and in her mind, she thought “she must be really big.” Oprah imagined that Rosa Parks must be at least 100 feet tall and must be a stalwart, strong, and carrying a shield to hold back all the white folks. This is especially significant, considering that unlike the few black public figures of the time who were ministers, athletes, and entertainers. Rosa Parks was a regular person, a house keeper who rode the bus like young Oprah herself. Oprah Winfrey began to state how it was an honor for her as a “colored person” to be able to present a speech for a well known African American female hero. I personally found it interesting that Oprah used the term “colored” to describe African American people considering it’s…

    • 866 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics