Passing on the Baton of Stereotypes

The Redlining video shows how even a 100 years after gaining their freedom, African Americans were still segregated and unfairly treated. Even when African Americans were successful, they could never be happy with the societal conditions around them. They were given sub-par homes at higher prices. And when Blacks started moving in, Whites moved out which basically created these "ghettos". This scenario is very similar to the scene with Lindner. The so-called "Improvement Association" was trying to purify the neighborhood of blacks, trying to keep this white safe haven. Even after the Youngers had high hopes ready to move into this house, society tried to push them back down. Lindner's pedantic tone suggests that he too holds this stereotypical view of Blacks as being primitive. 

Now imagine if Lindner comes into the Youngers house and sees a white-looking family, like that in the White Privilege Supermarket video. His whole attitude would be different. Instead of forcing them to stay in their "own community", he would actually be doing his job as part of the Welcoming Association. The difference in attitude is a clear sign of Lindner and the neighborhood's racist ways, much like how the different protocols based on color in the video. The way that Beneatha responds "(drily) Yes- and what do they do?" just furthers Lindner's beliefs about how African Americans are rash and arrogant. This fact is what stops Dr. Joy DeGruy in the video from shouting at the cashier, as she is afraid of being stereotyped by the others in the store. 

African Americans have to act so carefully which is difficult because they are often just standing up for their given rights. Even with large efforts by society, this group continues to face injustice and stereotyping. 

Slow Down and Appreciate Life

Although money can bring you happiness, the two are not synonymous. The Diamond as Big as the Ritz shows how even with a mountain made of diamond, the Washingtons can never be truly happy because they are always so isolated and concerned over preserving their wealth. Despite the fact that they had so much money, were they "worth anything at all?" (Fitzgerald 87). Fitzgerald is trying to show how the Washingtons were built up on the outside, but had essentially a hollow center. They had such a grand showcase of wealth which makes them look almost perfect. However, as the story progresses it becomes clear how shallow and self-centered this family is. They hold no core values which Fitzgerald exposes through the course of the story.

Fitzgerald demonstrates that not only do the Washingtons use corrupt means to gain wealth, but also how they are then controlled by this corruption. They feel justified to hold aviators as prisoners and kill all their guests just to hoard all their wealth. In the end, their greed and money is what asks God for a bribe. They become so stuck in this world of money that it begins take control of their actions. The daughters, Jasmine and Kismine, show how the family has never really left this ideal isolated area as the two girls show their innocence in asking about washing clothes. Fitzgerald shows the evil nature of greed and also how money shouldn't be the center of everyone's life.

I really enjoyed reading this short story and seeing all the similarities between this and The Great Gatsby.

Running towards the Past

"He had passed visibly through two states and was entering upon a third. After his embarrassment and his unreasoning joy he was consumed with wonder at her presence. He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through to the end, waited with his teeth set, so to speak, at a inconceivable pitch of intensity. Now, in the reaction, he was running down like an overwound clock" (Fitzgerald 91-92)

I really like this passage of The Great Gatsby for many reasons. It follows the scene where Gatsby and Daisy reunite after almost 5 years. This particular scene is when Nick describes Gatsby as Daisy is so overwhelmed by the mansion.

The first thing I noticed was that it shows the emotion within Gatsby. It shows how much this relationship with Daisy means to him, so much so that he is almost embarrassed or nervous to even talk to her. This points to the breaks and flaws in Gatsby, areas that his fake built-up self cannot cover. In a sense, Daisy is the "kryptonite" to Gatsby - his only weakness. This Dream, his American Dream to get rich and be with Daisy, looks to him to be in reach. Just her presence next to him makes him feel as though he has accomplished something in his life. The way Fitzgerald says "consumed ... at her presence" foreshadows that his eventual death would be the fault of his attraction for her. Gatsby takes the blame, as the so-called "savior", for Daisy's actions which leads to Wilson killing Gatsby.

Another thing I noticed was how Nick describes Gatsby to be "an overwound clock". This brings back the point about the "defunct mantelpiece clock" and how Gatsby is only in search of something from the past. His obsession with this past relationship makes him do anything to attain it. This "overwound clock" shows how he is so full of energy next to Daisy's presence, but at a point, suddenly, it will snap and lead to Gatsby's death. This also foreshadows Gatsby's death in a sense because it shows that he has reached his goal, and will now "run down". Gatsby is so stuck in the past and that is one of his biggest flaws. He fails to understand the truth in Nick's statement "you can't repeat the past". The "mantelpiece clock" is already broken which gives evidence to Nick's claim, that this relationship with Daisy is already over.

After reading the complete novel, there are so many little parts like this that foreshadow Gatsby's death which I completely missed when reading it. I really enjoyed reading and discussing this novel, and now to tie it all together WE SHOULD WATCH THE MOVIE IN CLASS! Help this cause by signing this petition.