Ayana Bell LAS 101-125 Dr. Capra March 29, 2021 Annotations #2 Pg. 48-62 1. John begins to recognize the separation and mistreatment of black people, as if his eyes are suddenly open for the first time Unpaved roads Old school “hand-me-down” buses Old schoolbooks 2. Compared his resources to those who were of the opposite race. Their roads, buses, playgrounds and schools were noticeably better. Pg. 49 1. Prison work gangs and field workers were all black Did John only notice these things after his trip, although this has been the case his whole life? 2. He loved to read especially black newspapers and magazines Pg. 50-52 1. During the planting and harvest seasons John couldn’t attend school How long were those periods? How much did he forget? First time hearing John be called Bob Family did not value education as much as survival i. This mentality is still apparent today in urban communities 2. John would hide to avoid having to work on the farm 3. Although John’s family did not value education his determination to learn made his priorities clear. 4. John is running towards the bus with what appears to be a book in his hand. Pg. 53-54 1. Tan my hide: refers to a form of discipline 2. 1954 John Lewis was a freshman in high school Read a headline titled “Brown vs. Board of Ed of Topeka”: was a landmark 1954 Supreme Court case in which the justices ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. The doctrine of “separate but equal” had been deemed unconstitutional 3. John expected everything to change instantly, which unfortunately is not the case. His parents still advised him to stay out of the way and not get in trouble The pastor never acknowledged the injustice that was clearly present and appeared to be financially well off. Is he a puppet being used to keep black people ignorant or “in check” Pg. 55-56 1. In 1955 John was introduced to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2. By applying the principals of the church to the current issues Dr. King created “the Social Gospel” The first time John sees his love of ministry and his desire for change collide Pg. 57-59 1. Emmett Till: was a 14-year-old African American who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955, after being accused of offending a white woman in her family's grocery store. As bias jury resulted in a non-guilty verdict, this still happens today! 2. Rosa Parks: was an American activist in the civil rights movement best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott. The United States Congress has called her "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement". Dr. King led a boycott of the buses It went on for over a year and ultimately inspired John Lewis Pg. 60-62 1. John preaches his first sermon at 15 years old 2. A congregation of chickens became a congregation of people 3. He preached from the book of Samuel Why this particular book? 4. Boy preacher: John had been put in the newspaper 5. Final image is of a bus. Is this in reference to Rosa Parks?
