"The Ethics of Living Jim Crow"

I found this autobiographical sketch to be very intriguing on a personal level due to my personal interest in current and past social issues around the world. The format of this article was highly effective in giving a chronological life-story and showing how growing up during the days of the active Jim Crow laws took a toll on a black man's mindset and personality.

In the first story, where Richard Wright would throw cinders in his backyard, it was already evident that the Jim Crow laws had taken a toll on his perception of Black Americans. He would intentionally hurl cinders at passing black folk, which is obviously not a safe or kind thing to do. This indicated that it had already been instilled in his mind that Africans were less of a person, thus he treated them inhumanely. Later, after an unfair brawl between some neighborhood white kids and Wright's friends, leaving him with three stitches behind his ear, Richard questioned the injustice. He knew that the white kids had taken it too far and should be reprimanded. Upon telling his mother, and assuming she'd take his side, he was told that he was then beaten and punished for white action.

Still as a child, Wright got his first job working with white people. Upon questioning authority with the intent of trying to improve himself as an employee, he was ostracized, and eventually beaten and forced to quit his job. This reaction from his coworkers demonstrated to Wright that even the idea of a black man working at the status of a white man was offensive and unthinkable. Simply trying to be a better employee was taken as an insult to white people.

A reoccurring theme in this autobiographical sketch was the notion that black people must feel grateful, even in terrible events. Continuously, after seeing blacks (and being) beaten, harassed, and in one case castrated, Wright would hear others and himself being referred to as "lucky bastards" and that they should be "thankful" they were not killed-- as if not simply not killing a Black American was seen as a noble and honorable deed.

As Wright's life went on and he learned his "Jim Crow lessons," you could see his self-worth deteriorate as he questioned the injustice done by whites less and less. He grew up being told that white people were never in the wrong and that they held a natural place in authority.

"Talk of the Town"

The destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 is arguably the most infamous terrorist attack on the United States in history. This event was distinguishing and memorable to nearly all who were alive to witness the fear that coincided with the attacks. I, myself, can not remember the day of the attacks because I was too young. Growing up in post-9/11 America, I experienced firsthand the measures our nation took on security (particularly in airports). I feel greatly lucky that these are the only repercussions I experienced after the attacks on 9/11, because many lost their lives or a life of a loved one. Each person recalls and interprets September 11th differently, which was clearly evident while reading both articles from "Talk of the Town." Authors, John Updike and Susan Sontag, gave their personal New-Yorker insight to their experiences and reflection on the attacks.

Updike viewed the attacks from a mere mile away, and captured the awe and terrifying image of the collapsing towers. As he and his wife viewed the death of thousands, Updike expressed more of a feeling of unison with not only New Yorkers, but Americans as a whole. He also expressed concern for the country's freedom of motion, feeling that this attack would limit some of our country's accessibility and ease to certain privileges-- and it did regarding flying procedures. Updike's article also hinted hope. His conclusion expressed an uplifting tone, while still acknowledging the pain the attacks took on Americans.

On the other hand, it seemed that Susan Sontag took on a more political viewing of these attacks. She certainly recognized the heartache and severity of the situation, but she sought out change in our country. She believed that change in our international relations with the Middle East would change our country's future, and ideally to prevent affairs such as 9/11 from occurring again. Sontag explains that this is not a fight between men, but among countries. In addition, she cynically analyzes the notion that "America is strong," because although we may be strong, strength is not going to prevent these occurrences from happening, and we must change as a nation if we truly desire a new future.