In the first two chapters, Don Lemon brings us into a better understanding of the situation in which we find ourselves as Americans. Please consider these points and questions. Comment below to get the conversation going and to give us talking points for our in-person meeting on Friday.
- Don Lemon referenced The Fire Next Time written by James Baldwin in 1963. He begins his book as Baldwin did, with a letter to his nephew. After a short explanation, Lemon makes the statement, "This IS the Fire" (pages 20-21). Do some research to see what you find. Why did he use this statement as a title for the book? How would you define "the Fire"? How long have we as a country been in "the Fire"?
- Lemon says, "It's time to have a point of view, not just an opinion." What do you think he means by this? What is the difference between a point of view and an opinion? What is something you have an opinion about? Why do you think he is stressing the difference as it pertains to racism? Have you considered your opinion? How about your point of view?
- Lemon talks about forgotten events and locations in Black history in Louisiana and Long Island. Can you find similarly forgotten settlements or points of conflict near your current home or where you grew up as a child? Do you know if there were Black towns in your area in the past?
- On page 44 Lemon discusses the "Black box" in which he put himself as a child. What are the implications of the "Black box" at LMS?
This is a Video Tour of the Cape Coast Castle that Lemon references on pages 45-49. I highly suggest you watch it.(Here it is on YOUTUBE if you prefer.) I am not even sure what to discuss after having viewed it, but it is a powerful tool to help us all appreciate the history Lemon and his mother came to understand on their trip.
1. In an interview with NPR, Don Lemon explains that George Floyd was killed in the middle of the street for everyone to see, during a pandemic when everyone was sitting at home. This is THE FIRE that James Baldwin talks about in his book. Lemon also refers to the senseless killings of Ahmaud Aubry and Breonna Taylor.
ReplyDeleteI would say that the Fire describes the evil doing that is perpetuated on a daily basis in our country. I would say that this FIRE has been raging in our country since the moment that Europeans came to this country and brought disease and the opinion that they had the "right" to settle here.
2. I feel a point of view is how you take a look at a situation from different angles. An opinion is the decision that is made regarding that situation. People will constantly ask for an opinion on any topic, be it how well something fits, how well someone sings, etc., but it is rare that someone asks you from what point of view have you formed that opinion.
I feel that he is stressing the difference between the two because EVERYONE has an opinion on EVERYTHING, but it is important to realize that people see things differently according to his/her/their point of view. As a White woman, I would most likely not have formed the same opinion as to what the consequences of George Floyd's murder would be on American society if I were a Black man. We all feel as human beings, that what occurred on May 25, 2020 was disgusting and tragic and that this can NEVER happen again to anyone. But again, my point of view as a White woman would form my opinion differently. I have not grown up in the Black community and I can't truly understand, but only empathize, with this community.
3. I live in Levittown, PA, which is a VERY LARGE area. We have 3 different school districts in Levittown and I live in what would probably be considered the least wealthy. The students in the district receive free breakfast and lunch in school. I have done some research and it turns out that when "Levitt and Sons" designed the area, the homes built were not sold to Black people. A clause was written in 1945 in the land lease that stated that the houses could not “be used or occupied by any person other than members of the Caucasian race.” This clause was removed in 1948 due to a court case declaring it to be unlawful. Levitt stated that if a mortgage for one of the ranch-styled homes was purchased by a Negro, then no White person would want to live there. Fortunately, Black families were granted mortgages soon after the case was tried. Unfortunately, if a Black family bought a home, they were harassed by their neighbors, and this at times led to violence. In 1957, there was a a mob of White men, women and children that threw rocks and bricks at a home of a Black family. This went on for three nights, and the state police were called in. The mob was broken up and the perpetrators were from the "Levittown Betterment Association", who were interested in restoring a more White neighborhood. Fortunately, not everyone in Levittown was a racist, and many groups came forward to help this family.
Our suburb is still mostly a segregated population. As of 2010, Levittown is 87.7% White, 5.1% Latino or Hispanic ancestry, 3.6% Black and 3.8% Other.
4. The "Black box" at LMS would include low expectations for our Black student population, including low test scores and a perception of lowered academic talent. This may sound trite, but we need to recognize our students of color for academic achievements, not only those achievements in sports. There needs to be a balance.
Thank you so much for sharing your insights and new information! I will hope to see you later today, and if not, I will respond on here. I am sure what you wrote will provide us with a springboard for dialogue. Thank you! -Donna
ReplyDeleteThank you Donna and Eileen for all your efforts!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to finding out more about what the fire is, and what we can DO with it to enact real change.
1 - I think of the fire as a critical time period that we are currently in. It may have started as a result of a perfect storm of terrible things occurring nearly simultaneously (Lemon mentions- George Floyd viral video, tragic deaths, racism on display, pandemic, Trump as president) - but the important thing is that it is here and now. Society is paying attention, and they won't forever. So now is the time for real change to happen but it will depend on our actions.
2. I think our answers are going to differ vastly on this question as it's largely semantics. I really enjoyed listening to everyone's ideas on this difference. I guess I think of point of view as less sophisticated, almost geographical. I view my students from the point of view as a teacher, as a mother. An opinion however requires more thought and time. HOPEFULLY and ideally, the opinions we form are informed opinions that considered all the evidence and circumstances. This is difficult however, and comes with maturity and growth. It's much easier to make a snap opinion based on a reaction or a small slice of the facts. With financial issues for example, I know very little about the financial world so I refrain often from taking political sides because I feel I don't know enough about the issues and consequences to really form an educated opinion.
3. If anyone is interested, 2 Hopewell women wrote a book called:
If These Stones Could Talk: African American Presence in the Hopewell Valley, Sourland Mountain and Surrounding Regions of New Jersey
https://www.amazon.com/These-Stones-Could-Talk-Surrounding/dp/1941948081
Mindy says they have come in to speak before at LMS.
Can also check out the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum in Skillman:
https://www.ssaamuseum.org/?fbclid=IwAR27McC3BxUUNmX4ofcK2yqBYmmTj46ZUDjDeTfhsElIS4wDI5KsxR6nBs4
4. I am grateful that the equity work we are doing at LMS (i.e. reading these books, questioning and recognizing our own hidden biases) is causing us to finally question and look at whether a seemingly small or innocuous interaction with a student like Lisa's dress code example might be part of this "Black Box". I think it is important that we label it, as it helps us recognize it better. Are we holding students to high standards and praising and recognizing all types of achievements? I'm not a big sports person (Sorry, Cards!) so it's easier for me to notice other achievements but I want to make sure I am doing so fairly and vigilant to all types of accomplishments. These will continue to be in the back of my head as I approach the upcoming school year.
-Veena