I was eager to read some of these stories in the Brownie's book because I am in the group working on folklore for the final project. I do have to say though, in the aspect of stereo types, every time I read Brownie's I think of little girls in brown outfits, a sash with badges, selling girl scout cookies!
Anyway, I enjoyed reading the poems and short stories in this packet, but even more I enjoyed reading the "The little People of the Month" passage, this was so uplifting and positive to read. So many things we have been reading, including Nella Larsen's Passing depict such a negative and depressing view of African Americans and how they are treated and perceived, but this excerpt about a young African American doing a heroic saving of a young white girl really shows that people are people regardless of the color of the skin. This young man risked his life to save a person, not because of the color of her skin but because she was in danger and needed help immediately.
I also found "The Grown-Up's Corner" of interest. The mother writing in is asking for this magazine to teach about the great things black men and women have done. What I found interesting was when she wrote "When I tell her as much as I know about our folks, she says: "Well, that's just stories. Didn't they ever do anything in a book?"". The mother goes on to say that she is not educated formally and doesn't know where to find "book stories", but she doesn't realize that she is providing her daughter with the great things that "their folks" have done by sharing these stories with her. Also at the end of the article the mother states she wants her little girl to know that it isn't the color of ones skin that makes them great, I think that by sharing the stories the "their folks" as well as reading and discussing the stories of white achievements really teaches a child that no matter the color of your skin you can do what ever you put your mind to.
This Brownie's Magazine seems to be the change of the race that McKay and Toomer were talking about. Now African Americans are writing showing real progress, positive changes and strides.
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5 comments:
Yes I like the morals the stories try to get across. I also agree with your closing point on how these writings show that positive progress was being made for the entire race.
I agree littl people of the month was uplifting but it also had a sadder note. It is dissapointing to see that children were told they could not do something. I feel like it is society's job to encourage it's children and a whole group were discouraged because of something they could not even control.
When I first read the Brownies Book I was like, ok we are going to be talking about African American girls joining Girl Scouts. I was suprised when I opened the packed to see all these lovely stories. I think it's amazing that these parents had to write in so they could educate their children on heroic things that their race did.
At first I thought of all the wonderful thinks that the black race has done. A black man invented the cotton gin, the red light and even a rotary blade lawn mower. These are just some of things that I thought of, but then again technology has changed and I can just google some accomplishments!
It's nice to read the positive stories and letters from the Brownie's Book after reading about racism, segregation and everything that goes along with it by Johnson, Toomer, and McKay. You're right, it seems like these readings are follow ups and really show the progress that has been made by African Americans.
Aw The Little People of the Month is so cute! Its nice to see that in there and the things the children had done. That just shows the kids and how they are innocent and have less cares about things especially what people look like. That child went in regardless of the little girls race and saved another person's life. That is definitely something to admire, even if in a young child. I like how the Brownies' Book focuses on mostly positives of African American culture and their lives they can live.
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