The novel Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward tell us a story about a 15-year-old African American girl named Esch. She lives with her father and 3 brothers in small bayou town called Bois Sauvage in Mississippi. Unfortunately, Esch is living an unhappy and poor family. Her father has problems with alcohol, and her mother died after her last pregnancy when Esch was only 8 years old. Even though Esch’s mother is dead, her presence is obvious from the very beginning of the story, and she stays present throughout the whole book. Esch constantly compares the present with the past, when her mother was alive. Mama is the only woman that Esch can refer to about feminine issues, among all males surrounding her. Therefore, the most tender memories that Esch keeps in her head are connected with her mother. Mama is an invisible guardian whose lessons still continue to guide and protect all of her children.…
2. Compare the portrayal of Katrina in Salvage the Bones to what you saw of the hurricane in the news. Which aspect of the storm’s devastation does this novel bring to life? What does Esch’s perspective add to your understanding of Katrina’s impact?…
The late great Maya Angelou once stated that “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends”. While her words indicate that our attitudes, cultures and values can define our differences she also suggest that we all embody a shared sense of humanity that we might come to understand through our interactions and acknowledgments of others around us. In the 21st century we have experienced an ever -increasing diverse population, the re-election of America’s first Black President, polarizing religion wars, and a more encompassing civil rights agenda that includes women’s and LGBTQ communities. So what if we asked ourselves “what does it mean to be diverse?” What are our investments in our diversity? What are our feelings and logical reasonings about diversity? More broadly, what does diversity mean for 21st century American culture? What role does contemporary social movements like Occupy Wall Street, #Blacklivesmatter and other protest movements play as we consider the meaning of diversity and difference? What is the role of the university in defining our discussions about diversity? Through critical reading, writing and thinking we will explore these questions in depth while engaging how diversity and difference shapes our attitudes about the economy, racial and ethnic difference, sexuality,…
“It is not that adults produce children, but more importantly that children produce adults” (Peter De Vries). In the novel, Salvage the Bones, Jesmyn Ward takes the readers on a quest through the life of Esch. Esch is only fifteen years old when she realizes that her life is collapsing in on her. She is the only girl in a world full of men; from her drunken father to the love of her life, Manny. Esch’s mother died when she was giving birth to her seven year old brother, Junior, forcing her to take care of this damaged family. Skeetah, one of Esch’s three brothers, is occupied with the care and upkeep of his pit bull, China, and her puppies. Skeetah engages the family in his dog-fights while his friends take interest in Esch at…
Immigrant students in the U.S. struggle to continue their education after high school because they lack the documentation that many colleges and universities need to identify and register students for classes. USA Today states, “Colleges…
Education is a benefit for society. Higher education offers higher economic advantages for both workers and the economy. The United States is the home of about 65,000 undocumented children who graduate high school each year and have lived in the country for more than five years (Dreams Deferred, 2010). These children are intelligent, outstanding class presidents, valedictorians, and honor students who aspire to be successful doctors, engineers, teachers, and lawyers. However, because of legal and financial obstacles confronting them just because they are undocumented students, many are unable to live their American dream and attend a college or university. It is estimated that only about 5 to 10% of undocumented high school graduates go…
Being a child of immigrant parents, it is our duty to prosper and fulfill our goals so the hardships and struggles of our parents do not become a vain attempt. No matter what difficulties we stress, we rely on that family bond which helps us prosper. My role in this community is to garner the benefits that my parents have provided to me through their sacrifices and serve as a role model to future generations. By earning my degree, I would demonstrate to the younger generations that we, as minorities, can prosper in our desired field and make an impact on this world. I want to be an example to those who believe they can not prosper because we are minorities, however, we can diversify the work system. We are not defined by the given stereotypes of our community but rather the story we create for…
“Inventing the University” is implied by Bartholomae, that many, if not all college students are faced with adapting to new ideas, languages, and ways of doing things. Even more-true, many students of color are faced with the items mention above and then some. Many students of color toggle between the American experience and the Black experience, the African experience, the Mexican experience, the Indian experience, the Asian experience, etc. – just as…
Perhaps the most pivotal point of my education has been the diversity I am surrounded with. Attending one of the best high schools in the state has exposed me to vast diversity which challenged my beliefs and led me to mature faster than friends at other schools. For example, in one of my classes, the person on my left is Indian, the person behind me is Jamaican, and the person to my right is Bosnian. Cultural diversity is just the beginning. I am surrounded by some of the most talented people I have ever met who can make provoking art, choreograph beautiful dances, create city-wide magazines, win the Siemen’s competition, and much more. Diversity within education is essential to the growth of students. Being surrounded by people who think, act, and talk like you doesn’t teach students perspective. That is why I am grateful for opportunities like the Porter scholarship which gives talented students an opportunity to get scholarships and contribute to the diversity of the University of…
In the article College Immigrants in the United States, written by Jie Zong, and Jeanne Batalova, spoke about the amount of Immigrants looking for higher education in the United States. The articles leads the discussion of with this statement. “In 2014, 10.5 million immigrants had a college degree or higher, representing about 29 percent of the total 36.7 million U.S. foreign-born population ages 25 and over”(Zong, Batalova). This fact puts the reader into perspective about how many students are immigrants into the U.S, to look for a higher education and ultimately making a better life for themselves, giving them opportunities that they wouldn’t have in their resident country. They state how this influx started to take place when the Immigration…
Leon Botstein in this article discusses how Trumps effort to stop immigration will greatly affect American educational system; he expresses that without diversity the education is cease to exist, but to maintain this fine system we must stand up and voice ourselves.…
America is growing and changing, and the fastest growing minority group is the Hispanic population. The 2010 United States Census Bureau data shows the Hispanic population grew from 35.3 million people in 2000 to 50.5 million people in 2010. That increase accounts for more than half the population growth in America over the last ten years. The Hispanic community is going to continue to grow and contribute to our society in big numbers. It is important that they successfully complete their baccalaureate degree because higher education plays an important role in the economic development and leadership roles in the United States (Castellanos and Jones 149). Unfortunately, graduating from college as a Hispanic in America is difficult. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2009 the percentage of Hispanic students enrolled in college was 12 compared to 62 of White students. Of that 12% only 8% graduated with a Bachelor’s degree compared to 71% of the White population. It is crucial to find out what factors prevent Hispanics from obtaining a degree and what changes need to be made to help them reach their goals. As the number of Hispanics enrolling in college increases, the resources colleges and universities provide should be increasing as well. It is clear that Hispanic students are trying to succeed in college; however, it is not their fault if they do not have the proper resources to utilize their full potential. Many students are the first in their family to attend college and that brings in different factors that make their transition into college difficult. Low socioeconomic status, infrequent interaction with faculty and administration, lack of guidance from family, and poor quality secondary education are some factors that make it difficult to ease into the college experience (Garcia 840). It is important for Hispanics to get a college education not only for themselves but for society and future generations.…
As we advance through the 21st century, acquiring a satisfactory job almost always requires preparation. This preparation is earned in many places such as colleges, universities, or vocational schools. The United States has several locations that offer preparation. For this reason, many people decide to migrate to the United States. The amount of students in search of a higher education has increased dramatically. They understand the necessity of acquiring knowledge to thrive in the workforce and earn a substantial amount of money. Many citizens have noticed the recent increase. One group of individuals, the Pew Hispanic Center, has written many articles describing hispanic activity. “Its Hispanic Center seeks to improve public understanding…
Viewing diversity as a peripheral activity is a phenomenon that concerns higher education leaders in the United States. However, diversifying student population, faculty and actual support for diversification has been slow. Consequently, as an education consultant for the New York University (NYU), this transition must be fostered by implementing programs aimed specifically at increasing the university diverse population. Thus, I would encourage leaders of this institution to reflect and emphasize their institution’s commitment to diversity. The ensuing report will provide an analysis and evaluation of diversity a current issue for the New York University (NYU) leaders. In addition, this report will support the diversity of the student…
College is a time of growing academically, learning how to interact and communicate effectively, and gaining a broader worldview. Therefore, diversity is necessary to the experience of any college student, and it allows one to learn and grow socially and academically because it creates a melting pot of cultures and ideas for students to dive into. When a student encounters diversity, he or she may become more aware of his or her own prejudices and biases. Then, a student can use the lessons to grow, lead, and communicate. I believe that I can bring a unique view to the University of Mississippi through my challenges with family, faith, and myself and my ability to understand and view other’s opinions and beliefs with an objective view.…