CR 1

Dear Lucy Jefferson,

I feel our views are on the same page level. The views that you express are 100% true. Unfortunately, some people in society tend to see certain groups/people in a negative manner. I can understand how you faced scrutiny from fellow co workers and neighbors, since they felt that a African American women had no place in society and they didn't want you to live a better life style. Why do people look at women and certain racial groups awkwardly when they are doing something that the common norm do? Everyone should be free to receive an equal education and do as they please.

Women are still looked as second class citizens in our society today. Even though we have come along way from where women had no say they still face many injustices. For instance, they don't receive equal pay and people feel they aren't capable of performing a certain task. I must applaud your patience especially with the way you were treated at work. Your own supervisor called you a part of the "furniture". You were like an outcast just because of your race. There would be a huge controversy if someone said that to you today at work.

The way that you decided to raise your children with little income is beyond by imagination. There are many people who are quick to assume that since you are from a certain social class or live in a certain area you will raise your family on government aid and nothing else. Many single moms are in the same position that you faced because they don't want any aid and would rather have few luxuries in life. It is hard for me to imagine the way you worked and had time with your kids. This is possibly due to the fact that kids these days are more demanding. Could kids these days go 1 week or 1 month without any entertainment or food from a restaurant? Since you went to school and worked I feel a interesting connection. Many people these days do the same as you and have little support because they have children and it's hard to balance life with everything that's going on. In your position how could a co-worker tell you to go on aid and forget about your pride? She should be praising you and your hard work because very few can accomplish what you have.

Stereotypes are a huge part of our lives today. If a person or group does something or acts a certain way than the people who look like them or are in there racial or social class get labeled a certain way. I found it interesting how you kept on reading and diminished stereotypes of African Americans. It must have been hard being an African American women bombarded with questions on why are you reading and what are you reading. I'm glad that you showed a sense of pride in reading because it helped you negate from peoples eyes as illiterate and uneducated. Even today in most places people feel that women shouldn't be reading and it's a waste. However, I feel the more education a person has the more likely he/she will be able to stand on his or her feet.

In today's society it's important to teach your children a lesson. Personally, I would have a hard time eating the same type of food everyday and this goes with a lot of people today. But, you made sure your kids knew what they had to eat since you were cash strapped. As you mentioned, "You don't keep people in a certain category for hundreds of years and expect them to come out an do all these things." This is very true especially with the limited opportunities people have. You should be proud of yourself because you came out alive with all the limited resources you were provided. I believe it would be wrong if someone would have to go from one side of town to another just to cash a check. When you mentioned the 10 cent store being on Michigan Ave., I was in awe. Shouldn't a store like that be in a neighborhood that would cater to the community that needs it? However, sometimes people look out for their best intereset and seem to care less about who is suffering.

Education is supposed to be a stepping stone for a better life. Unfortuantely, in some communities kids are limited academically due to many reasons. Many cases are like that of your son in which, lack of books, limited fundings, etc. play a role in kids not being educated properly. How are kids supposed to learn in the darkk? This is true in many public schools where kids don't know how to read or write because no one cares what they do. The frustration that you showed when you found out the condition your child was learning in needs to be addressed especailly in inner city schools.

I hope that the problems you faced were of the past and hope the future is bright. Society needs to adress the problems that you faced. It's time that people aren't looked upon as pieces of furniture. If the problems aren't looked upon the sterotypes and injustices will continue.

Sincerely,

Shahil Chand