I wanted to share this perspective from NPR on the horrendous Trayvon Martin killing. It is one of many salient, reflective, and sorrowful commentaries by a wonderful writer.
http://www.npr.org/2012/03/20/149003647/trayvon-martin-the-lingering-memories-of-dead-boys
And because it apparently needs to be said: My son is beautiful and funny and bright and brown. And NOT SUSPICIOUS.
1 day ago
4 comments:
I heard an NPR clip this morning about Trayvon and I plan to play it in my class on Friday. Because I have a confession to make: I decided to include The Help as a text in my argument class. We are just about finished with the book. We have also read the Open Letter from the ABWH. We have read critical articles from Martha Southgate and others. We have watched interviews with Melissa Harris-Perry. We have read Eudora Welty's "Where is the Voice Coming From," Ellison's "Battle Royal," MLK's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," and Zora Neale Hurston's "Sweat." (We talked about "Sweat" today.) Friday, I will play NPR clips about Trayvon. Sanford, FL is just 22 miles from Hurston's home of Eatonville, Florida. Striking.
My town is not very diverse, and anyone who reads The Help tends to read it unreflectively. I thought it would be a great case study for how (and why) to be critical or resisting reader. Not sure I would have attempted it with a different demographic where it would generate more anger and sadness. It's going okay, but I'm not sure that I'll do it again.
I think your clip might be different than the one I heard (based on the date), so I'll check it out. Thanks for posting it!
Oh, that piece is amazing. I am swimming in sadness right now.
Played the piece in my classes today. Thanks again for posting it. Makes me think a lot about James Baldwin's "My Dungeon Shook" and Brent Staples's essay "Black Men in Public Space."
Hey, folks. I'm just responding to these responses, too. I'm glad you appreciated the clip. GEW, I do not judge you for including The Help. :) In fact, your reading list is really interesting--can I sit in on your class?!
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