One Crazy Summer

            The Black Panther movement was the African American equivalent to the KKK.  Both were treacherous parts of American history, but what is interesting is that the Blank Panther movement is taught much less often in schools.  In fact, I got close to zero education on the Black Panther movement.  The book One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia, is the story of three young girls who are placed in the middle of the Black Panther movement.  Through them, I could learn about some of the culture as much as they were learning.  It was an important experience for me that I wish I’d had as a younger student, but I think it would be a good book to bring into my classroom in the future.

            This book started off slowly for me.  It was a lot of contemplation, and I wondered when the plot was going to begin.  Along the way, however, I learned a lot about the Black Panther movement.  I learned about the intensity of the group.  I learned how important it was to be a member, and that your responsibilities and pride to be a Black Panther were a great priority.  This militant group played an important role in the civil rights movement.  Perhaps they did things in some more dangerous ways than acceptable, but the children of the movement as well as some of the members were innocent and should not be blamed.  The three sisters of this story prove this to be true.  Their sincerity and commitment to each other far outweighed the movement they got wrapped up in.  I think my ability to identify with them helped make this important side of history far more human.

            The three sisters were searching to find acceptance from their mother while they got wrapped up in an intense movement that they knew very little about.  I immediately connected with the main character, Delphine.  She committed so greatly to her younger sisters, and I find that I do the same thing with my younger sister.  I want to be the protector.  Especially when we are in a foreign place, all I ever care about is our safety and happiness.  This story, the sisters’ quest to find acceptance and understanding about their mother, touched me in ways beyond just the movement they became part of.  Since I could identify with the sisters, I cannot place complete hatred toward the Black Panther members. 

            Having a better understanding of the human part of militant movements, I feel that everyone should try to understand that aspect of both the Black Panther movement and the KKK.  Some of the children especially don’t know the different between what is right and what is wrong.  Everyone fights for what they believe is right.  While I don’t believe that these groups fought the right way (AT ALL), it is important to remember that we’re all human.  I think it was a great experience reading this book because it showed me just how much went into the Black Panther movement.  Even children were being taught about the different ideals of the group.  People get wrapped up in their movement and forget to think about the rest of the world around them.  America tends to brush these issues aside and forget about them, but we need to learn from our mistakes.  Delphine, Fern, and Vonetta teach us that in this book.  Three innocent girls brought into a crazy world they weren’t expecting.  Although they did find some sort of understanding with their mother in the end, their experience at the breakfast club and the dangers associated with it were tragic things young children should never go through.  This book has positives and negatives in the girls’ lives, and I think it is important to use it as an introduction to an important part of American history: The Black Panther Movement.

Anything But Typical

Anything But Typical, by Nora Raleigh Baskin, is the story of a boy with autism and his struggles to find happiness and peace with himself.  This firsthand look at the difficulties the main character (Jason) faces is an experience I have never had before.  In fact, it almost hurt to read the story because I know that I have been guilty of judging someone on the outside before getting to know them on the inside.  I feel that the key to this book is the first person narration.  Without this very personal look into the mind of someone that feels alienated from the world, I would never be able to connect on such a meaningful level.

            One very important idea called out to me in this story.  So many believe that people with disabilities lack a lot of emotion or feeling.  Everyone in Jason’s life seems to want to press the appropriate emotion on him.  When he is not showing how he feels in conventional ways, everyone around him gets worried and looks to control him in a “normal way.”  However, since I have insight into Jason’s thoughts, I know that he is feeling just like anyone else would.  Early in the story we get a flashback to a time when Jason is a young boy.  His grandmother says to him “ ‘You are so good with your new little brother.  I can tell you love him very much,’ my grandmother said that day.  She said each word very slowly and very loudly.” (23)  In this situation, the grandmother is expecting her grandson to feel how she thinks any “normal” person should feel.  When she realizes that Jason is not feeling the “conventional” way, she worries and backs off.  I think a lot of people would react the same way, but after reading Jason’s side of the story, I can see that he is handling his feelings in his own way.  These feelings are not wrong or bad, they are utterly honest.  Too often, I think we are not open-minded enough.  We are too expectant of the “norm.”  After reading this story, I feel that the unconventional, slightly different ways are just as real and human as anything else we might feel.  It pains me to see all the useless expectations people have for Jason throughout this story.  They seem to dehumanize him when he is in fact just as human as any other person on this planet.

            I have been fortunate throughout my education to be introduced to students of all different backgrounds, traits, etc.  Some students in my high school and middle school had Down Syndrome.  Because we were in the same atmosphere as them, we grew up with them and understood that they were students just like us.  We were all friends or acquaintances in our own way.  I do not think every student has that sort of experience.  Teachers seem to have little respect for Jason in his school.  They do not seem to advocate the fact that he is just like anyone else and should therefore be treated with respect.  I think Jason could have a very different experience if people took the time to be more open-minded.  Seeing this side of people, however, shows me the reality of things.  It makes me want to connect more with Jason and truly understand him for who he is because no one else will.  I think this is a good way to get young readers to feel the same way.  It is a lesson to be learned.  Although I have had positive experiences with inclusion in school, I too have had my moments to judge.  After reading this story and having had classes on the subject, I feel wrong.  I know I was wrong.  I have never been overly harsh and never mean to a person with a disability, but I never gave them the chance to open up to me and show me that they were just like me on the inside.  This book makes me want to go back in time and be the person willing to open my mind to differences.

            Anything But Typical is a fantastic story for young readers who need to understand the diversity our planet offers.  This first person insight has forced me to think about my own life as much as it has forced me to reflect on my actions.  I think our world is starting to understand that differences in people are not a bad or wrong.  This book most certainly teaches that being different and being yourself is the most important thing of all.  Without diversity, life would get very boring.  I am very appreciative of this book because it has made me think in ways that I would have been too uncomfortable to think about before.  I would bring this story into my classroom, and I would pick it up to read for fun any day.  I am a big fan of these inspirational books that challenge me to reflect on my own life.  It is amazing that even at the age of 19 I am finding so much meaning for books meant for students half my age.  I absolutely love it!