A Tip of The Cap to a Real American. [video=youtube;cHHPMkH4PQA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHHPMkH4PQA[/video] (I think MarAzul is pulling your leg.)
I had only heard of her through Maya Rudolph's SNL impression of her. After reading what she was all about, she seemed like a hell of a woman though
Man, I really thought she was required reading in high school. Maybe that was just my crazy English teacher. I think it was "I Know why the Caged Bird Sings."
Honestly, how many people remember books/poems/etc they read in High School...... Most of the time we'd just be thinking about when we'd get home ... One of those moments where I think to myself... "I wish I knew what I know now back then..." Luckily I was smart enough to get into a great career, but still.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings should be required reading in high school. Like most good books in my life I read it on my own. She describes being raped by her mother's boyfriend at age 7, going to trial where he got a slap on the wrist because she was "asking for it". Then her mother's family killed the man. She thought her speech had killed him so became voluntarily mute for 3 years. We've had "discussion" on privilege which some say does not exist. She talks of her grade school graduation, the girls in starched dresses, the boys in suits, and a local politician (forget which office) spoke, a real occasion. This pol talked about how great things were coming to their small Arkansas town. Why, the next year, the all white high school would have a state of the art biology and chemistry lab, a new gym, and an art teacher coming 3 days a week to teach the students. Of course, none of the students he was addressing would ever attend that all white school. They went to an all black school with no labs, no gym, no art. I remember when I heard Miss Angelou (as she liked to be called) speak, she talked about working as a journalist in Egypt. She was the only woman, the only American, the only Black person, and at 6' the tallest person in the office. She joked about how she considered converting to Judaism so she'd REALLY not fit in. She lived in Ghana for a number of years, returning to the US to work with Malcolm X setting up the Organization for African-American Unity. Charles Blow has a good article.
I've heard of her but never knew anything about her. I'm pretty sure she is not required reading in Oregon public schools, at least ~5 years ago.
The fact that it is required reading in many schools shows it's not just because I like it. I am capable of speaking for myself, Vanilla Gorilla. It should be required reading because: 1) it is extremely well written and would hold the attention of young people who don't always read a lot 2) it tells a story of pain, loss, and triumph that is timeless 3) it tells a story from a point of view often missing in school curricula 4) it has won awards and spent 2 years on top of the NY Times Best Seller list, showing it is has been recognized and honored 5) it was written by a woman who became a major literary, cultural and political influence in America Enough reasons or would you like more?
1. So would Penthouse forum 2. So does A song of 3. See Penthouse forum 4. Jane Fonda's workout book did as well 5 means nothing to me You are describing a ton of books. You seem to single this out because it was written by a women
A lot of books were written by women. If I were to single every one out I would be singling for the rest of my life. I think you are describing yourself, well named mediocre man. You are saying it cannot be of value because it was written by a woman. Rather than debate abstractions, why don't you read it? It's not very long.
There is very little that should be required reading for every person. We all have different strengths and interests. For most of us, it pays far better dividends if we maximize the strenght we have and leave the weaknesses to be covered by our partners, companions or teammates. To start this process I recommend this reading. http://www.strengthsfinder.com/home.aspx MarAzul Maximizer Learner Competition Individualization Analytical What are your strengths?
No I am saying it can not be of value to me because you liked it. That is not meant to be an insult, but I can't think of another person I would have less in common with
Not true. I think he is saying that your "required reading" comment is ego-centric to what you think should be "required reading" for all public school students. The story resonated with you (and it's a good piece of writing, I admit), but then you say everybody should read it, because of how you feel about it. It's a Statist vs. Libertarian debate to me. Statists tend to want to lead people in a direction of knowledge, while Libertarians tend to value more freedom in life, and in academics/learning.
That's how I understood MM as well. Her writing is of no interest to me. I don't debate that it isn't good though. So, IMO it's in the eye of the beholder so to speak.
That's pretty scary. So either you don't know much or you have more in common with, say, Elliot Rodger.
