Q- Being the only family of a different race in Thomas' area, how do you think the Smiths ( Denyse's family ) are singled out? Do you think others treat them differently than other families? Do you think that Denyse is affected by this? Give 3 possible situations that could occur from this.
In my opinion, I think that Denyse could have some troubles at school. Perhaps there are some prejudices towards her race. In the pages where they are at the movies, Bridget thinks it's weird that Denyse, and Thomas haven't taken a drag from a cigarette. Bridget may have been making an assumption towards Denyse's race, and how Thomas really enjoys basketball. It sounded like she was following a stereotype.
I also think that Denyse is expected to be a certain way. Because of certain stereotypes, Denyse must have been expected to play basketball, be tall, etc. That could be another troublesome thing for her.
My final thought, is that perhaps some topics can't be touched because of Denyse's race. My french teacher once said," Had he not have been your friend, or so close to you, you would not be able to joke around like that." When Thomas said "We don't hang around with their kind." He meant 7th graders. Nothing towards her race, however his mother thought the opposite. She thought he was making a racist remark and since Denyse is of a different race, that topic wasn't to be joked about.
Alright! Now I'd love to hear your input on this question. Leave a comment and I'll respond right away!
Wow! Great work here, Sam! I also look forward to reading your group mates responses.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you put a lot of thought and effort into this post, it's a great way to get your Lit Circle group started!
So in my opinion, I think that they are singled out by being the only people who live on their block who is a different race, because the other people in their neighbourhood, probably look at them weirdly, and they might stare when they're driving by when they're playing basketball in their drive way. I think that Denyse is effected by this, because she might look at all the other kids, and wonder why she's different or maybe she is looked at funny and is confued of why they're looking at her like that. It is posssibe that others treat their family different, but so far in the book,there has not been alot of evidence supporting that statement. I agree with Sam, because the kids at school might think shes just good at basketball because she's black, and not because she practices on her drive way, and they also might think that she just good because she inharited her brothers skills.
ReplyDeleteim my opinion,i think that denyse's family could be singled out in many ways.Like you said how at school people might treat her diffrently.
ReplyDeleteI think that alote of people could expect things of her because the colour of her skin. When you shouldnt judge somone of their skin there will always be people who will. I think they could also be singled out by other families becuase there dark skin,Denyse might not have alote of white freinds becuase the other people in her street feel like she doesnt belong or fit in.
like for example when thomas doesnt want to go ask to play basketball at Denyse's hiow becuase he might feel weird being the only white person around,but what Thomas doesnt realize is that Denyse probably d\feelxs like that every day when she goes to school or goes outside d\tom play basketball she is the only black person living on her street.
My 3 situations that racism could be shown is
A:she could made fun or dicluded in certain activities at school from other kids.
B:Since she is the only black person on her street people could possible start harrasing them and sating Denys'e family doesnt belong in the neighborhood.
C:I also think that Denyse's parents could also want her to date somone other than Thiomas because maybe she wouldnt have as much of a hard time dating somone her own race rather then a diffrent race because prjiduce people could give them dirty looks, say bad things to them and say that they dont belong together.
I think being a diffrent race in Thomas' area, the Smith's could be singled out in a few ways.
ReplyDeleteLike not being socialable.
The Smith's are the only black family on her street. (Plowshare.)
"..and there really aren't too many black families on that street, are there?"
"I don't think there are any other black families on Plowshare."
(pg.19)
Or, the fact that Steve and Thomas don't want to even try to scrimmage with Denyse's older brothers. Maybe because they think her brother's are really good, or maybe because they are afraid to play them because of stereotypical racisim.
(If you know what I mean.)
I don't think others treat their family diffrently, just because their the only black family on Plowshare. But maybe when we get in the book more, we'll see if families are prejudice towards them.
I think Denyse is affected by this because of her brothers. Her brothers are basketball stars, so I bet everyone else expects her to be really good too. Or, she's good just because of sterotypical racisim. (Again.)
So tell me what you think!
-Claire
@Ms.Pollock- Thanks for commenting! I'm very happy that our groups are doing this literature group. It's a great way to express our opinions!
ReplyDelete@Amy-That's very true. There isn't very much information proving examples but I think we can infer some scenarios that may happen to the Smiths. What you said about inheiriting skills from her brothers is a good point. That would be a comman assumption from people at her school since they all know Jamar and her brothers are very skilled at basketball.
@Noah- I like the last point you made! The one about Denyse's family not wanting her to be in a relationship with Thomas who is white. Amounst black families like that they may have odd feelings to those with white skin. It's a common assumtion that causes alot of arguements. But since they are just kids it's a rightful worry for Denyse's mother and father.
@Claire- I also think that as we read more into the book we will discover more about the Smiths. Perhaps it's not Denyse that is treated differently, but her brothers or parents. These are things we don't know since those characters haven't been talked about very much.
I agree with all the statements. However,I like the point Noah made very much. About how Thomas may not be aloud to be in a relationship with Denyse. Her parents may fear the problems they may face by being together. Maybe they don't want them to go through harrasment and seclusion. That could also happen in real life, parents are always very concerned with who we talk to or date. Race may not even be a factor!
I think that the Smiths are singled out because since they are the only different race people think that they are diferent but in reality they are very much the same.3 situations that could occur from this could be is that people might harras them, abuse them, and make fun of them for living there.Also I think that Denyse and Thomas like eachother, so if they start going out then people might bully them and make rude comments.
ReplyDelete@Jenna- All very true. People think race is a reason people are different but skin colour doesn't affect who we are. It's the way we act and speak that shapes our character.
ReplyDeleteClaire I really like all of the reasons you gave and how they are very discriptive.Good job!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell... i think that Denyse may have been singled out in her neighbourhood because her family is the only black family in her neighbourhood ''I don't think there are any other black families on Plowshare '' (Plowshare is her neighbourhood) but perhaps she was singled out at school because of her race. Although there isn't the alot of black students at her school she is the best basketball player on her team so it would make sense that she would have alot of friends, or maybe that's just a stereo-type of being a jock.
ReplyDeleteI think that Denyse's family maybe looked at or treated differently because of their race , and the fact that they are the only black family in their area, and shes a girl-basketball player.
I think that Denyse is maybe affected by this, depending on how she lets other students, and neighbours treats her if she were to stand up for herself people wouldn't make fun of her if she was bullied.
People name calling her and her family,making racist remarks,and excluding her/family from neighbourhood activities.
Sorry for my late comment i forgot to post my comment!
ReplyDelete@Walid - I totally agree with you! But maybe Denyse is treated diffrently only because of her race. Not because she's a girl basketball player. I mean, the ONLY GOOD, GIRL basketball player, in that matter.
ReplyDelete@Walid- Exactly what I was thinking. People may just look at Denyse as "the good basketball player" or "the black girl on the team." She could be treated bad for being both these things, like how Claire had said. Steve and Tom when they first watched the girls play, both noted that Denyse was exceptionally good. Being that, people like players parents may make remarks and assumptions towards Denyse. When Steve said that he really like Kim Tom said that she had been on the bench the whole game. Perhaps the couch played Denyse more instead of her since she was good? Kim's parents may think it's just because Denyse is black that they play her alot.
ReplyDelete1. First I think that some things cant be said around Denyse and her family because the smiths, or other people may interpret it wrong . For example , in the book Thomas say's to his mom "We all pretty much keep to our own ."Thomas' mom thought that he meant they're own color but , what Thomas really meant his own grade .
ReplyDelete2. I think that Denyse could feel like everyone is staring at her because she is coloured and no one else is And she may feel "out of place" when she goes to the mall and other public places.
3. I think that they might not be accepted and have to deal with rasist comments alot. They might be treated differently by others because of they're colour