Most recent public comments by Alison Michailof https://nowcomment.com/users/87829 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151212 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151212 I personally felt as if what the author was saying was harsh, as in my eyes Bigger wasn't a monstrous creature. He was just someone who fell prey to the systemic racism and oppression in the world he lived in. The only monstrous part of him I could see was the murder, but even he seemed to regret what he'd done. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:21:48 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151210 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151210 I enjoyed reading this as it gave me insight into Wrights own life and his inspirations for writing his books, especially Native Son. Learning that he was a Communist was surprising, and I wander if that's what inspired the Jan in Native Son. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:19:09 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151206 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151206 Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:15:27 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151192 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151192 Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:11:32 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151142 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151142 The information I learned helps me understand what it was like to live in Chicago around the time Bigger lived there. I can see just how segregated the city was, to a point that a man would be drowned because his raft floated into "white only" water. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:00:57 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151136 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151136 I learned more about what it was like to live in Chicago, even before the events of Native Son. This information also applies to Black Boy, as Wright had a period in his life where he lived in Chicago, like Bigger. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 13:58:41 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151132 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2151132 Segregation, riots, police Wed, 21 Oct 2020 13:57:17 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149863 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149863 The sources seem credible as they are both black and white, but none of the speakers tell why someone could not like what Wright was trying to say with Native Son. All the speakers speak of how Native Son was a positive thing. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:50:23 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149860 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149860 This video lets me understand why Native Son was so popular and made such a big influence. In contrast to the article on how Baldwin didn't agree with Native Son, this video tells me how many people found the book important and influencial. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:49:18 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149850 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149850 I learned more about Richard Wright and how Native Son became so popular. Many people back then wanted their voices to be heard but didn't know how, so Wright did it for them through his writing. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:47:33 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149842 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149842 Wright, Black Boy, Native Son Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:46:21 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149774 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149774 The source does seem credible although there aren't many different speakers or sources given. The information doesn't seemed biased as it is telling the watched about what it was like to live in the South at that time. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:27:25 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149772 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149772 This video gave me a better insight into what was going on at the time and helps me understand Bigger's struggles more that I did before. It's also helping build on information that I gathered from the "Lynchings in America" text. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:26:02 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149740 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149740 I learned about just how terrifying it was to live in the South during those times. Watching this video makes it clear why many members of the black community fled the southern parts of the country and amassed in the northern and western cities. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:19:34 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149737 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149737 Racially Biased Laws, Disenfranchisement, reconstruction, lynching, south, black migration, racial hierarchy, white supremacy Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:15:42 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149735 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149735 Disenfranchisement is when someone is deprived a right or privilege, especially the right to vote. I didn't know this term before I watched this video and searched up the definition. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:14:13 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149733 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149733 The source seems credible as it uses several quotes from writers to support what they are saying. There also aren't any topics brought up that could really have a bias. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:02:40 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149717 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149717 The topic relates to the texts we have read as a lot of them, such as Native Son and Black Boy, have large elements of realism in there writing as they were based on real experiences. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:56:33 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149702 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149702 I learned about Realism Literature and how it was popular around the time of the Civil War. I now know enough about the term to use it to describe texts that we've read. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:55:06 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149671 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149671 Realism, Civil War, Mark Twain, William Dean Howells Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:47:14 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149670 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149670 I wasn't really aware Realism was a genre of writing on its own, and plan to use the term when reading and discussing realistic literature. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:46:27 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149653 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149653 The source seems credible as nothing in it seems biased, as its mostly just a recounting of what happened during the Harlem Renaissance. There is a somewhat limited number of speakers, with at least 2 of them from the same university. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:38:19 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149621 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149621 In the texts we read, the Harlem renaissance isn't a prevalent idea. But most of the works we read were likely published during the Harlem Renaissance, such as "Ballad of a Landlord" by Langston Hughes. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:31:58 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149619 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149619 From watching the video I learned how during the time of the renaissance, the culture of the black community became more prevalent in society despite being previously thought to be non-existent by the white community. I also learned how African American literature became more common than it had been previously, with works by authors such as Langston Hughes being published. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:30:02 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149604 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149604 Cultural revolution, evolution of the arts, music, Jim Crow, migration Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:21:43 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149603 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2149603 I plan to use the term "Cultural Revolution" in my discussions more as I feel it accurately describes what was happening during that time. Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:20:32 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148172 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148172 This video relates to Native Son as part of Bigger's problems was that he wasn't given a chance to go to college and social inequality didn't allow him to seek it. All because he was part of the black community and went to a poor quality school, which he had no control over either. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:57:00 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148163 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148163 Watching the video gave me more information on how the school system finds ways to make like harder for people in minority groups. From watching the video I can imagine how bad it must have been when Bigger went to school. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:50:59 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148152 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148152 Social inequalities, racial inequalities, mislabeling, standardized tests, college, dropout rates, school to prison pipeline Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:45:22 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148135 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148135 Meritocracy - a system in which hard work and talent is recognized and rewarded. I plan to use this term in discussions as even though the system often says they support hard work, the hardest working people may still be put at a disadvantage because of their race or social/economic class. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:34:28 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148129 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148129 I would not consider this credible as its truly based on the own authors opinion, without any contrasting views. The article is just Mathis's and Baldwin's words on the novel, both of which were biased against it. No accounts were given in support of the novel. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:29:08 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148126 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148126 The text does relate to the novels by Richard Wright, but what is being said in the article is different than what was said in the novels. When Richard Wright wrote his novels he was trying to bring attention to the sufferings of the black community and the effects the oppressions had on there mental state. The author of the article saw it differently, as if Wright was trying to make African Americans look evil, or monstrous, as she described Bigger. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:27:49 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148124 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148124 Compared to Wright, the author of this article has had different experiences than he did. Racial issues were much bigger back then, while now they are not nearly as bad. Of course what is said is at least half true, as the novel was likely targeted towards the white community and exaggerated so that the readers would feel prompted to do something about the issue. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:24:43 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148119 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148119 Caricature, exaggerated, Bigger Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:20:44 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148114 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148114 The term "tenanted" isn't one I've heard before. Now that I know the term basically means "occupied", I do plan to use it in discussions as its a term that may make someone think further about what is being said. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:15:40 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148109 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148109 The source is credible, as it is just a recounting of his life. Whether the sources the article is based on are credible is a different topic, but overall the source doesn't appear to have any bias or issues. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:09:44 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148105 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148105 The text relates to both Native Son and Black Boy as both texts were based off of his own experiences in America. I couldn't see any differences between the novels and the biography as the two novels were based on his own experiences. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:06:25 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148104 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148104 After reading about Wright, I can see how both Black Boy and Native Son relate to his past experiences. Especially as Black Boy was his own autobiography. Knowing that both novels likely featured situations of inequality/injustice that he went through himself is interesting, and makes the novel so much more intriguing. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:01:26 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148097 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148097 Childhood, poverty, education, Great Depression, communism, inspiration Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:53:29 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148095 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148095 When discussing about Richard Wright I plan to keep him hometown in mind, as its likely one of the things that inspired his writing. Especially as he grew up in the southern part of the country where the racial issues were arguably worse than in the north. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:52:07 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148057 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148057 I consider the source credible, given they get there information from a variety of sources from different races and locations. Of course there is always a chance some of the speakers/sources may have been biased, but there is plenty of information from more than one perspective that can keep the information credible. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:24:12 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148039 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148039 In both this video, and the previous one, they connect to the themes in "Ballad of a Landlord" where the housing African Americans lived in were terrible. They couldn't do anything about their living conditions either, as they couldn't buy better housing either because they were too poor, or real estate agents refused to sell to them. One difference is how in "Ballad of a Landlord" there is also a focus on how easily it was for African Americans to be arrested and put in jail for the simplest of crimes, while the video focuses mainly on housing and wealth. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:18:57 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148037 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148037 Just like the first video, its increasingly clear why it was so hard for African Americans to better there life, especially during the time period of Native Son. The same issues are clear in other texts like the excerpt from Black Boy. It confused me at first why the mother insisted her son toughen up, but I can see that she was likely trying to look out for him. To prepare him for the cruel world that was so discriminatory against his race. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:14:12 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148035 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148035 Some of the topics covered are racial wealth differences, housing and redlining, increases and decreases in the economy and its effects on wealth, how banks took advantage of new laws and societies, subprime loans, and slavery. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:09:45 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148017 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2148017 I plan to use both the phrase "federally enforced segregation" and "subprime loans" in my discussions. I find the phrase "federally enforced segregation" useful in discussions as it does accurately describe a lot of what was going on in the time period of Native Son and the other texts we read. The term "subprime loans" isn't something I've heard of before, and I find it useful to know what it is. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:02:49 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2147627 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2147627 The people who spoke in the video were all people who had been effected by the effects of redlining, and all were African American. Someone who was hispanic, or hadn't experienced redlining or lived in a community that was redlined, may not have the same opinions or experiences. The main speaker of the video is more credible as he uses statistics and historical events to back up his reasoning. Some limitations I do see are that I don't hear how redlining effected different ethnic groups in those neighborhoods, besides African Americans. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:38:37 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2147621 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2147621 Even though the video allowed us to see what it was like back then, we still don't have a full idea as the video focuses on how these old issues are still present now. Back then, you couldn't really get out of the bad situation you were born in. You could get a job that allows you to somewhat comfortably get by, but nothing good enough to change your social standing. Nowadays, there are more opportunities. Like in Native Son, Bigger and his family were very lucky to get a job offer like the Daltons. Most people at that time would very rarely get a job that nice, especially with people who were willing to help them get a better education. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:32:14 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2147613 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2147613 Some things I learned were how racial discrimination and segregation effected housing and education to a point were the problems are still around. Learning this information allowed me to see more into the struggles that Bigger and his family had. I could see why it was so hard for them to get a decent job, or a good education past the 8th grade. It became even further evident why Bigger's mom was struggling so hard to keep her family supported and with a roof over their head. The information I learned really helped me see what it was like to live in their time period. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:26:34 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2147383 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2147383 Tue, 20 Oct 2020 11:18:01 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2147329 https://nowcomment.com/documents/235789?scroll_to=2147329 Tue, 20 Oct 2020 11:02:40 -0400