Our America is a book about strong truths and the experiences of children living in the city. After reading Chapters 1-3, what stood out to you. Choose a quote and explain why you think this quote is important. What does it say? What does that mean? Why does it matter?
Ex.
LeAlan describes Lloyd by saying, "He's got a head like a martian." He means by this that Lloyd has an awkwardly shaped body. I think this quote matters because it helps the reader to see their relationship. LeAlan and Lloyd are clearly best friends who have a loving and playful relationship. They have shared some very difficult experiences, like frequent violence, but they know that they can depend on one another and still joke with eachother.
I think the quote "If you play childish games in the ghetto, you're gonna find a childish bullet in your childish brain". It say that if you play around in a dangerous neighborhood you have a likelihood that you will get shot and die. The reason why this quote matters is because that this quote is true and some people live by this quote every day and some don't have a childhood worth remembering because of all the violence,drug selling, and other things that make life or your childhood worth repeating or remembering.
ReplyDeleteLloyd:What do you think we'll be when we grow up?
ReplyDeleteLeAlan will be a politician . Lloyd I think you will be behind the scenes-probably a businessman and a millionaire and I'll have to come borrow money from you in my old age.
This was a one of the question's Lloyd and LeAlan asked in the interview with their principle, Ms.Tolson. I like this quote because it shows that she has faith in both of them. She thinks that their going to be successful in life, and that their going to be able to accomplish good things in life.
In the book LeAlen says he was In his house playing Nintendo and he heard A lady outside say "I heard you been looking for me n****r".Then she let off A couple rounds of ammo on someone.Yet they just acted like nothing happened, this Is Important because this Is expected In which the area they live In, and they understand It,It's not safe but they understand It. so conditions like this aren't a big deal there.
ReplyDeleteLeAlan said, "My momma just beat me! My momma just beat me!" I think that he did something that his mom did no like and he got beat.
ReplyDeleteLeAlan said "Go out side again,then POP!POP!POP! Go back in the house again".This tells me that LeAlan,Lloyd,And some of the kids that live in that area don't get to spent a lot of time out side because of the shooting that goes on around there.
ReplyDeleteEbBell- do you know what he did to get beat?
ReplyDeleteMs. Tolson said that "there is danger in and around the school. You all live in it every day." She means that every day every second everwhere they go theres always going to be violence and you cant get away from it. It matters becaus eshes letting her stidents know that just because theres violence around you, you dont have to appart of it. Just be yourself and dont worry about wats going on around you.
ReplyDeleteNo i did not read all the way to that prat.
ReplyDeleteLeAlan is describing what it is like in idle B Wells "If you act like a little kid in this neighborhood ,you're not gonna last too long. cause if you play childish games in the ghetto, you're gonna find a childish bullet in your childish brain."
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best quote in the texts so
far it is saying that if you want to live in
idle B Wells you have to act mature.
Edbell- It tell your before you read that part. He tore up his grandma's new coat so she beat him.
ReplyDeleteLeAlan states, "And I'd rather work for something than be born with a silver spoon in my mouth any day!" Some people get born into a family of wealth and education, but the typical family to get born is the ones that make you work for what you want. You can't always get what you want unless you work for it. Even if you do come from a poor neighborhood it does not define where you would be in life, it does not place you in a tiny little box where you forced to stay. We all have a brain, its up to us to use it, and use it well. Like LeAlan told his friend George "How you gunna be something if you don't go to school?"
ReplyDeleteOne quote that shows their difficult experience is when LeAlan and his friend George are talking. LeAlan says,"How you gonna be something if you don't go to school?" George responds, "You ain't learning s**t now,so why? Why?" This quote is important to me and I think everyone because it shows what kids attitude is toward school in the "ghetto".
ReplyDeletePatti Smith- i agree
ReplyDelete