Civil Rights Writing #1
A Meeting with Dr. King and Rosa Parks
Civil Rights Writing #2
Diary of Minnie Jean Brown
Civil Rights Writing #3
A Civil Rights Poem
19 yrs. Old in the 1950’s
If I were a nineteen year old Filipina in 1956, I would be the ultimate outsider of the country all together. For one thing Asians are more disliked by whites and blacks put together. People make fun of Asians and discriminate them all the time in the most degrading ways. If I met Rosa Parks, I would tell her that I am inspired by her courage. I would ask her for advice and mentoring in standing up for what I believe. Now, the only thing that I can think of telling Dr. King when I meet him is, don’t go to that hotel. I’ve always wanted and dreamt about going back in time to save his life and preventing his death. If he were alive now, I just know that the world will be a bit more controlling what with the overall population. I want to help them inspire the people and to keep that inspiration and influence with them for all time because let’s face it; people just don’t respect the past history like they did then. I fear that being female my age and Filipino, I can’t help but fear for my safety. I would feel like every corner I turn is a chance for me to get ridiculed, made fun of, or possibly even raped. I myself am not as vocal in what I believe in. it’s hard for me to stand up for those things. So I wanted Rosa Parks help in helping me muster the courage to stand up for what’s right, and Dr. King for speaking skills. As far as religion goes, I’m Christian so there is no problem for me fitting in with the church. The only things that I have to worry about in this era is getting beaten or raped.
Dear Diary,
I have finally been accepted into a “White’s only” school. Everyone is so excited and proud of me for actually having the privilege to attend such a historical change in society. They also, however, fear for my well-being.
I guess that change doesn’t sink in too easily for these people. The teenagers at my school choke on the atmosphere that we black teenagers bring in. I walked into that school on my first day filled with fear. Everyone from that school was outside looking like they were ready to shoot me or throw a firebomb on me. I went practically deaf from all the shouting and screaming from all the boys and girls in the school. It was absolutely crazy! The only thing that I was slightly happy about is that I was allowed to have a bodyguard. My bodyguard was none too shabby.
Attending this school has brought me a better education as well as some new friends. My white friends got picked on for hanging out with me, and accepting me into their school. They don’t mind. I am overjoyed to know the fact that there are some students in this school who actually acknowledge African Americans as human beings with equal rights. I fear for them as well. One day I came to school one of the white girls I am friends with came up to me and said, “Good mornin’ Minniejean!” and she had the biggest bruise on her arm. The fact that these white folk think that they can hurt their own kind for being friends with us is inhumane.
In any case, I have been attending Little Rock Central High School for a few days now. Honestly just going to this school in the morning makes me feel like I am in one of them action movies. Every morning I wake up and get dressed. Before I put on my shirt, however, I always try to stick a few magazines here and there for a shield. You never know when you can get attacked at that school, or with what for that matter. Strangely this process of life has become a custom to me. I am gradually getting used to gearing-up. Even arriving at school is exciting. It is deathly exciting to go to school. Every morning after I eat breakfast I go outside to load into an armored car. Thinking about makes me excited about riding in it again. It made me feel like a spy almost, or like I am part of the secret service. I feel so important when I ride to school. We have to sneak in and we get to have cute soldiers around us. Strong white men protecting black kids makes some of them sound pretty chivalrous come to think of it.
Basically, when it comes right down to it, I love going to Little Rock Central. Everyday is exciting and filled with adrenaline. There is however, one thing that I know for sure I absolutely cannot tolerate, the name-calling. These hateful students know how to wear a word out. Why just today, some puny white boy in the lunch line was hollering at my friends and I, “NIGGER, NIGGER, NIGGER, etc.!” After hearing that same word for about five minutes straight, plus the ones shouted to me every so often ever since I started attending that school, I lost it. I completely snapped. I straight up to my chili and dumped the whole hot thing on his head. I felt pretty proud considering some people were cheering for me. I also called him white trash. I knew though, before I dumped it on him that would be my last day. So now I am sitting here in my room at night awaiting the rest of my punishment. That is if they think that kicking me out of the school isn’t enough for what I did.
I Are Higher Primate
I can taste the fire in the distance,
I can taste it because it is in my front lawn,
i saw my sister this morning swinging from a tree,
It wasn't until later in found she'd been dead since the dawn.