Author: Michael Safara

On April 30th, I attended the Adventures in Worldmaking ExtraCredit event which contained several speeches and essay from graduate students here at SUNY Cortland. The graduate students were from two different classes and they spoke about the worthy had done thus far in the semester. Dr. Kim Stone from the African Bildungrgrsoman had students from her graduate class present books they had read during the semester. The second group to present was from Dr. Savonick’s graduate class Feminist Worldmaking. Each student presented project that they had been working on throughout this semester. 

Dr. Kim Stone’s African Bildungrgrsoman graduate students presented first and they all read papers they had written about a book they read for the class. The books that they read were African coming of age books and this is primarily what African Bildungrgrsoman means. Throughout the presentation, there was pattern in what these books were about and what the course was about. All of the papers focused on the main characters another struggle in life to find their place in life and struggling to cope with their cultures. The characters came from different parts of Africa with different backgrounds but all shared the same conflict. Some of the books that were presented were Nervous Conditions, The Small Island, and Americana. All of the characters int these books shared a common theme of struggle for educational opportunities and finding themselves within their own culture. 

Dr. Savonick’s Feminist Worldmaking students had presented their assignments that they had been working on for the semester. It was very interesting in seeing the graduate work they had been doing and it was a great insight into the future. The first student to present focused on transgentles, followed by a presentation on a collage that a student had made, and the final presentation was an interactive activity where the audience received a sheet with questions and this engaged the audience into the presentation. All of the presentations were very interesting and there was a range in different types ofppoject which made this very interesting. Each student had come up with different issues and topics and expressed thermal in different ways. 

This extra credit opportunity was very interesting and it was a great indicator into what the future holds and a bit of insight into graduate level work. It was most definitely worth the time to go and see these great presentations. It was clear to the audience that these graduate students had truly cared about their work and it was clear that they had put much timed effort into their presentations. 

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is a representation of life that once was in America. There was racism and inequality everywhere you went and this book portrays that point in time perfectly. Racial prejudice and racism is present in Act II, Scene III. The Younger’s future is at stake and their dreams of moving into a new home could be a nightmare in reality. The family has moved into a predominantly white neighborhood and an unexpected visit from Mr. Lindner of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association leaves the family on edge about their future and provides insight on the racial prejudice that exists: “Ain’t it something how bad these here white folks is getting here in Chicago!…You hear some of these of these Negroes ‘round here talking bout how they don’t go where they ain’t wanted and all that…” (Hansberry 100). The white population in the neighborhood are pushing out the minority races because they do not believe in equality. All people are equal and there should never be this type of treatment towards other humans. The family is not wealthy and struggle day in and day out to provide. There is a common theme throughout the book which is an ongoing fight for African-American equality. The family has moved into an all white neighborhood and this symbolizes the push and fight against inequality.  

Racial inequality is an awful and dark past that we once had in America and if there never was a fight for equality, where would we be today? African Americans fought for their rights and equality but this dark history should have never occurred. All people are equal. There is also a theme of fight and pushing back against common beliefs. For example, Beneatha changed her hairstyle for self expression and to be her own person. Another example is the family moving into a predominantly white neighborhood to go against society. Never change who you are to fit with societies beliefs because all people are unique but we are all the same on the inside. This situation is a small, peaceful protest because they stood up against the neighborhood and society by moving into the new house. 

Martin Luther King was the voice for African-American fight for equality and its fearless leaders like himself that improve society and make America a diverse and thriving country. Unfortunately, there are people that still view others of different races as inferior and that is just a sad reality that in 2019, racism is still an issue. The large majority do not view others as inferior but equal and without the fight, America would not be the same. Equality is important in aspects of life and everyone should be able to accept differences and live their lives.

1. What events from the past or present relate to the fight for equality presented in A Raisin in the Sun? Explain. 
2. Do you think that it was a good move for the family to move into the new neighborhood and stay despite all of the racism and race prejudice? Why or why not?

My name is Michael and I am from Staten Island, NY. I am an adolescent education major specializing in English. I played soccer throughout high school and follow the sport.