.The 1940s Blog. A Ramirez. A Lesson Before Dying

A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines Alejandra Ramirez

[magictransistor]

[aleramirezalbd-blog]

This particular quote stood out to me for various reasons. Grant knows that Jefferson’s execution will be the talk of the town and his final breath will have a huge impact on the town. He initially wants Jefferson to show the white community that he is not a hog, but that he is a man. This motivates Jefferson into wanting to better himself as a man as well as to prove society wrong.

[discovering-beloved]

I feel bad for Sethe because Beloved is taking advantage of her. Beloved, I feel, is eating at Sethe’s soul, because as Sethe’s image begins to deteriorate, Beloved seems to grow larger and larger. I have become annoyed with Beloved because she is taking advantage of Sethe’s vulnerability to...

[aleramirezalbd-blog]

Your description of the final pages of the book makes me want to read it! I scrolled down through your blog and I quickly red each summary. I can see as to why Seeth is seen as the antagonist of the story since she killed her poor innocent baby . From my perspective, I would never resort to killing someone simply because I believe it is the only option in order for them not to face the struggles in life ( in this case slavery). I do believe that the lady who is also named "Beloved" is her daughter's "ghost". It is sad to see that Beloved feels as though she is superior towards Seeth. This reminds me about A Lesson Before Dying, because the white population believes they are superior towards the African Americans. From what I have read from this particular summary, it seems to me that Paul D is what grounds Seeth. In my novel, Grant ( who helps Jefferson become a man) symbolizes Paul D. Grant helps Jefferson understand that he is not a hog, but more importantly he can prove society wrong and challenge its depictions regarding African Americans. 

[chg1-blog-blog]

[vicemag]

How the FBI Goes After Activists

Tom Burke was driving through a sleepy part of Grand Rapids, Michigan—an empty neighborhood full of abandoned warehouses—when he first noticed the vehicle tailing him. “I was like, Why is this car turning left whenever I turn left?” he recalled. “I figured out I was being followed.”

Tom, a 49-year-old who has been active in antiwar and labor circles for decades, had been monitored for months by the FBI, and that morning, September 24, 2010, the Bureau was moving against him and his fellow activists. Agents had raided the homes of some of Tom’s friends, seizing computers and tearing apart rooms as part of an investigation into whether they were planning an armed revolution and providing aid to terrorist organizations. In response, Tom was on his way to an internet café to issue a press release telling the world what was happening, which was about all he could do given the circumstances.

That same morning, he and his wife were served with subpoenas demanding they testify before a grand jury. By December, 23 activists across the Midwest were subpoenaed and asked to answer for their activism. Among other things, they were accused of providing “material support” for terrorism, a charge that can mean anything from providing guns to a terrorist group to providing any sort of “advice or assistance” to members of such a group, even if that advice is “lay down your arms.” (Former president Jimmy Carterwarned a few months before the raids that the threat of a “material support” charge “inhibits the work of human-rights and conflict-resolution groups.”)

Nearly four years later no one has been charged with a crime, and an unsealed affidavit, which the FBI used to get a federal judge to sign off on the 2010 raids, even notes that this group of mostly middle-aged peace activists explicitly rejected the idea of providing arms to anyone. The document, released by court order last month in response to requests from the activists, shows that an undercover special agent was intent on luring people into saying ominous things about “revolution” and, sometimes, some of these people indulged her, which provided the pretext for legally harassing a group known to oppose US policy at home and abroad.

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[teaandthoughtswithchilan-deacti]

Starting the book, I had common knowledge on what African Americans endured, however I never really understood or knew how they felt internally. A Lesson Before Dying gave me a new perspective on how African Americans were effected and treated and how they dealt with it. From reading, I was able...

[aleramirezalbd-blog]

It had never occurred to me that society believed that African Americans dealt with racism the same way. Many of us believe that African Americans dealt with this issue with violence. Instead of using violence, Grant used Jefferson to challenge society. He did not play fire with fire, but instead he wanted to prove that this "hog" could become a man, but better yet be seen as a human. Lastly, I would also agree that Jefferson and Grant "transformed" into completely different people. 

[mariasofia97]

What surprised me the most at the end of A Lesson Before Dying was that the white people were inferior than the African Americans. Throughout the whole novel white people had authority, they set the rules, and made African feel inferior. For example, Grant felt as impotent by the fact that if he...

[aleramirezalbd-blog]

 I do agree that it is unfair for African Americans to lower their intelligence around whites. It is sad to see throughout this book that the whites feel superior and even believe they have the authority to dominate over the African American race. I feel as though, Paul  does not see the imperfections of  African Americans and sees both blacks and whites the same. He acknowledges Jefferson as a human and not as an object. Although he knows that in his race it is "morally wrong" to  pity an African American, he still gives Jefferson importance and acknowledgment.  In Paul's position, it might have been hard for him to break social norms, but he does what he thinks is correct.

[fyeah-history]

World War II pin honouring Pearl Harbour hero  Doris “Dorie” Miller (October 12, 1919 – November 24, 1943) was a cook in the United States Navy noted for his bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross, the third highest honor awarded by the U.S. Navy at the time, after the Medal of Honor and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (today the Navy Cross precedes the Navy Distinguished Service Medal). Miller took over a machine gun aboard the USS West Virginia and was officially credited with downing two Japanese planes. He was honored as one of the first heroes of World War II, and six months after the attack was given the Navy Cross by Admiral Chester Nimitz.

[aleramirezalbd-blog]

The African-American Experience

  The African-American experience during the twentieth century was a crucial time of discrimination and exclusion.  It did not matter how educated or uneducated an African American was, they were all seen as a lesser person towards humanity such as Grant and Jefferson. A Lesson Before Dying has taught me that no matter how hard an African American tried to be a somebody in the 1940s, the white population would always diminish their motivation. What surprised me the most was that up to a certain point, Jefferson himself was motivated to not only better himself as a person but show society that he is a man.

    What did not surprise me was that Jefferson never received the recognition of being seen as an equal . But he did serve as an example of motivation for equality towards the African- American community.  The stereotypical mentality that some African Americans are considered to be  unintelligent and unimportant towards society is still present today. During the George Zimmerman trial, an eyewitness by the name of,Rachel Jeantel presented her testimony. But the problem was, that she was African American in which many came to believe her testimony to be  invalid and unimportant towards the jury and the prosecutors. Many said she was “Not a great communicator. Not very articulate.”(Nelson, “Black GirlStereotypes in the Zimmerman Trial”)  She was even judged  based upon her appearance which had nothing to do with her testimony. The media also described her as being “.. lazy, ghetto, obese, angry, aggressive, smart-mouthed, flippant, stupid, dumb, and even high on drugs are all words that play on the subconscious emotions of jurors and observers.” (Nelson, “Black GirlStereotypes in the Zimmerman Trial”)  It shocked my that Ms. Jeantel’s testimony was not seen as important during the trail given the fact that she had witnessed this tragic event. It is sad to see that as a society, we have evolved so much except for when it come to  racial discrimination.  

     This is relevant in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn when Pap is aggravated about how an African American “…had the whitest shirt on you ever see, too, and the shiniest hat; and there ain't a man in that town that's got as fine clothes as what he had; and he had a gold watch and chain, and a silver-headed cane—the awful- est old gray-headed nabob in the State. And what do you think? They said he was a p'fessor in a college, and could talk all kinds of languages, and knowed everything.”(Twain, 37) Given the fact that the African American has had a better suited education than Pap, he will never bee seen as an equal in his eyes or society’s eyes. It is sad to read that Grant must lower his intellect when he is around white people because (knowing that  he is way more intelligent that them) its demonstrates respect to be “dummer” than whites. My parents have taught me that no matter what background someone comes from, they must all be given the opportunity to be a somebody and to be seen as equals. 

[crop-sey-deactivated20181109]

Humorous Last Words of the Condemned “Capital Punishment - them without the capital get the punishment.” - John Spenkelink, executed May 25, 1979. “I guess nobody is going to call.” - Earl Johnson, executed May 20, 1987. “Yeah, I think I’d rather be fishing.” - Jimmy Glass, executed June 12, 1987. “Well, gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel.” - GeorgeAppel, executed by the electric chair on April 1, 1928. “How about this for a headline for tomorrow’s paper? ‘French Fries.’” - James French, executed by electric chair, June 30, 1966. “You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everyone dances with the Grim Reaper.” - Robert Alton Harris, executed on April 21, 1992.

[treselise-deactivated20200204]

Via porterspaints.com

[aleramirezalbd-blog]

Reflection Chapters 26- 31

     Vivian takes in Grant after he was badly hurt by Claiborne. It is weird that Vivian allowed him to stay in her home, knowing that she is a pacifist and does not approve of violence. Later on, Grant and Vivian get into an argument and he storms off; the reader can identify that he does not want to face the reality of his problems. Grant is categorized as being a very stubborn person who believes that what ever he does or says is correct.  Grant is later visited by Reverend Ambrose and asks him to save Jefferson’s soul. At this point, Grant feels overwhelmed about Jefferson in general. I personally feel as though Grant perceives that he is always being told what to do with Jefferson or how to help him. He tells  Reverend Ambrose that it is his job to save souls, not his. Jefferson informs the reverend that he will not lecture Jefferson about religion because he cannot lie to him by pretending to believe in the Bible or Heaven.The reverend then tells him that he is not an intelligent person because he does not understand anything about  his people or the fact that he is not appreciative over the sacrifices his aunt has done in order for him to attend college; he soon finds out the his aunt has been lying to him about how she covered the cost . I came to believe that maybe Grant has a better understanding as to why his aunt pushes him so much to help Jefferson.  Since Tante Lou invested so much of her money into Grant’s education, she wants Grant to invest his time into Jefferson’s life and make an impact on him.

     When Grant visits Jefferson, he informs him to pray. But it is kind of hypocritical of Grant to ask Jefferson to pray, knowing that he does not have a strong relationship with his faith. Jefferson does not have a strong connection with his religion because he believes  God only loves white people . He acknowledges that before he was in jail very few people cared about him, but now that he is living his last days on earth everyone in town seems to be comforting and visiting him. But what changes his perspective, is when  Grant’s students come and visit him at the cell. When the kids come visit Jefferson  he does not only feel loved, but he views himself as a sign of  hope for these kids who will someday have an opportunity to achieve equality.  Knowing that Jefferson is not very talkative, Grant gives him a journal to write down his feelings. The journal symbolizes hope for the African American future. The fact that Grant did not attend his execution is a disgrace. I know that it must have been hard for him to witness his execution but I would want to be there standing next to him until his takes his last breath. When Jefferson is being shaved, it reminded me of the crucifixion of Jesus and how they were preparing him for his death. Personally, it was hard for me to read chapters 29-31 because it was so heart breaking. But at the same time, it made me angry that they executed this poor innocent African American. 

[attndotcom]

[aleramirezalbd-blog]

What moves me the most about Grant Wiggins, is that even though he has had numerous opportunities of escaping Bayonne he does not. Instead, he remains teaching at the plantation school because he is well aware that his race, allows him to have  little or no control over his life. He wishes to challenge society, by granting African Americans  the chance to be perceived as important. Since Grant was given the opportunity to receive an education, he is well aware of the opportunities that are denied because of race. But a particular thing struck me, the fact that he sees Jefferson as an opportunity to break the cycle. The cycle  symbolizes  how African Americans are not given the opportunity to be a somebody regardless of their educated.  In these past chapters, we have come to comprehend that his parents had abandoned him with his aunt. One of the main reasons as to why he is too afraid of creating a relationship with Jefferson has to do with his execution; he knows that Jefferson will be taken away from him. One more person that he has loved, will be taken away from his life.

      If I was in Grant’s position, I would remain in Bayonne’s as well . But instead, I would care about my student’s futures. For me personally, it is better to have an influence over a group rather than a particular individual. Because initially, the group (in this case the students) will  influence their siblings or their families. 

[aleramirezalbd-blog]

African American Civil Rights Movement 1955-1968 (MLK Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3mq1CP0w98

[aleramirezalbd-blog]

I chose this particular photograph, because it parallels with what the African American students understand about how society perceives them. They are taught that no matter if they receive an education, it means nothing towards the whites.  No matter how hard they try, they will never bee seen as equals with them. They will always be perceived as different.  Instead, they should be motivated by their teachers into thinking that someday equality will be achieved; only if they break the cycle. 

[danny-gray-network-marketer]

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