Fences.

     The play Fences by August Wilson takes place in 1957 during the difficult years of change with blacks. It takes place in a dirt-yard and porch of the Maxson family's house in Pittsburgh. In the time period of the play many things associated with blacks vs. whites were going on. There had been a Montgomery Bus Boycott because of Rosa Parks. Jackie Robinson broke the Gentlemen's agreement which kept blacks from playing in major leagues. Schools were being desegregated. The Civil Rights Act and the Voting Act was passed 8 years after the play. Blacks were free from slavery but were trying to  be cut off from society at the time.

Race & Racism

     Young people understand race as either a gift or a curse. In the video A girl Like Me one of the girls says all her sisters are lighter than her so she felt ugly. Many people grow up thinking that if they are not from a certain place or look a certain way they will not be accepted in society. The mentality of many young people is that if you aren't white you aren't good enough. It shouldn't matter how someone looks or where they're from because people can't change that, what matters is the way someone is on the inside.
     In my school I asked guys what they look for in a girl and many of them described a light skinned girl. Beauty should not be measured on whats on the outside but whats on the inside. Many dark skinned people are beautiful and not all of them are from Africa. Choosing one person over another because of their race and color of skin is racism.
     In the past blacks went through slavery and were seen as nothing. Whites dominated everything and even today that happens. We grew up thinking that whites are always going to be better than us. But that's not true. What makes you a better person is what you're willing to do for people. A color or nationality should never define a person.
     Our generation should learn from past mistakes and not let other people define who we are. Every individual is beautiful in there own way and we should not let someone tell us different. Its all about self confidence and what you believe about yourself. Not everyone will like you but you have to learn to like yourself. The only thing that matters is the person you are in the inside.